Counselling is one of the important factors in society. Counselling takes on a daily basis and at one point someone becomes a counselor without clearly comprehending the meaning of counselling. It is worth noting that counselling cover a diverse range of approaches and disciplines, whereby each demands unique skills. Counselling has helped many people in the world. There are various skills that are necessary to establish counseling relationship. On the same note, there are components that make a good counsellor. Communication skills are one of the critical components towards establishing effective counselling relationship. Effective counselling relationship calls for communication skills that include reflection, active listening effective questioning skills, as well as a clarification (Jungers & Gregoire, 2013). The communication skills tend to create a link between the counselor and the clients. These means that the relationship created is directed by the communication skills focused on. Active listening is the basis of the effective counseling relationship. These encourages the client to be open and guarantees confidentiality and trust.
Personal attributes are one of the critical skills that enhance effective counselling relationship. Patience and understanding between the counselor and the client create a good relationship. The client is always willing to communicate and embrace the counseling process if the counselor is patient and understanding (Bender & Messner, 2004). In addition, the relationship between client and counselor is based on trust. Such skill empower the client during the counselling process.
The first meeting is essential in enhancing the relationship during counselling. At first, for effective counselling relationship, counsellors have to be responsive, respectful and attentive. The counselor and client relationship is a relationship between two individual that is driven by human characters. The client-counselor have a history, and each one have to acknowledge values of the other party (Stewart, 2015). It is essential for both parties to reflect on their behaviors and rectify them in order to create a good relationship that enhances counselling process. Putting into consideration the human side of the parties involved is a critical skill that strengthen the relationship between the counselor and client. The client have to accept the information received from the counselor and take it has the truth (Hodges & Vickery, 2009). These create a platform for effective counselling relationship that yields positive output.
Management skills also enhance effective counselling relationship. Conducting the counselling in a professional manner tend to inform the client about the level of professionalism. Organized counselor increases the trust and confidence of the client to share and be open on the issues (Allen, 2014). Emotional controlling skills create a good environment to interact and take control of the counselling session.
Skills to recognize limitations is a major platform or effective counselling relationship. The counselor has the potential of taking the client through thoughts that are motivating and goal setting. Such skills strengthen the relationship and lead to effective counselling. In the counselling relationship, it is essential to recognize limitations and accept the limitations as an avenue for building a stronger relationship (Hodges & Vickery, 2009). In the general perspective, various skills strengthen the counselling relationship. Effective counseling relationship forms the basis of the counselling process. If the relationship between counselor and client is weak, it hinders the counselling process.
Counseling is also analyzed based on the outcome. The counseling process may not be effective because of the skills and qualities of a counselor. There are several qualities and skills that make up a good counselor. One of the factors that make up a good counselor is being research-oriented. These are because good counseling is driven through research on regular basis. Research enhances the understanding of clients with different problems. Studies show that education process do not teach counselors everything they need to know (Hodges & Vickery, 2009). Acquisition of knowledge continues the process that is achieved through research and in-depth reading. Empathy also makes an individual a good counselor (Allen, 2014). The ability to feel what the client are feeling is a value that enhances counseling. Counselors are always assisting people go through stressful and difficult moment. Empathy means that the counselor is in a position to put them in the position of the client.
Rapport building skills strengthens the relationship between the client and counselor. Good counselors are ever distracted by personal matters. In fact, good counselors remain focused on what the client is saying. In addition, a good counselor is flexible and able to adapt the changes during the counselling process (Henderson & Montplaisir, 2013). Professional and good counselors are flexible at any point regardless of the situations.
Authenticity is essential when counselors are dealing with clients. Teens tend to be so hard on opening up to counselors. Good counselors have the authenticity to convince the clients Good counselors that can handle teens have to possess authenticity (Sutton & Stewart, 2002). On the same note, the good counselor must always be clear and conscience. Being clear and conscience ensure that the client and counselor understand each other.
Counseling is made possible through communication. Good counselors have efficient communication skills. On the same note, the good counselor is a good listener and spend all the time listening to people in need (Reid & Westergaard, 2011). The good counselor does more of listening and less of talking (Stewart, 2015). Good counselors are also compassionate, which makes then ready to help. Through compassion, good counselors can relate the feelings and problems of the clients and comprehend the needs of clients.
In addition, good counselors are made of good hearing skills accompanied by nonjudgmental skills. Good counselors hear all types of information and meet all types of people. The information they receive are more tempting for one to make judgements, but good counselors don not judge. Good counselors through their non-judgmental skills do not push their cultural, social or religious beliefs to their clients (Hodges & Vickery, 2009). Another component that make good counselors is remaining focused and asserting more importance to the client. For good counselors, the client is important and always ready to be assisted. Such mentality and believe on the basis of good counseling.
In the general perspective, professional and personal qualities of counselors are essential in facilitating client-counselor relationship. Counselors must be ready to help people and make adjustments based on the needs of the clients. There are several skills that establish effective counseling relationship. Some of the critical skills include interpersonal skills, communication skills, management skills, as well as personal attributes. On the same note, good counselors are made of various skills and attributes. Some of the things that make up good counselor include listening skills, respect, empathy, goal-oriented, clear and concise, attentive, knowledgeable, compassionate, non-judgmental, research-oriented, as well as authentic. Counselling is more of a calling and one need to be ready to help other people. Personal problems should not hinder the counseling process. Counselling takes place on a daily basis and at one point someone becomes a counselor without clearly comprehending the meaning of counselling.
References
Bender, S., & Messner, E. (2004). Becoming a therapist: What do I say, and why?. New York: Guilford Press.
Jungers, C. M., & Gregoire, J. (2013). Counseling ethics: Philosophical and professional foundations. Danvers, MA: Springer Pub. Co.
Hodges, P. A. M., & Vickery, C. E. (2009). Effective counseling: Strategies for dietary management. Rockville, Md: Aspen Publishers.
Allen, V. B. (2014). Counseling in the family law system: A professional counselor's guide
Reid, H. L., & Westergaard, J. (2011). Effective counselling with young people. Exeter [England: Learning Matters.
Sutton, J., & Stewart, W. (2002). Learning to Counsel: How to develop the skills to work effectively with others. Oxford: How To Books.
Stewart, K. (2015). TO BE A GOOD COUNSELOR: LISTEN. Journal Of College Admission, (226), 20.
Henderson, D. A., & Montplaisir, B. F. (2013). From Good to Great: Examining Exemplary Counselor Development. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 91(3), 336-342. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.2013.00102.
