from a much lesser university. We are irrational by nature. I read a book recently called 'Predictably Irrational'. In you're interested in the human mind I definitely recommend it to you. The list mentioned are all essential qualifications of a good therapist. But most important is the therapist and patient should be comfortable working with each other and the trust is steadily placed between them. A little doubt on the part of the patient regarding the integrity and capability will just add additional anxiety to patients and all the therapy efforts will just become a waste of time. Should this be the case, it is better to end the therapy. I believe that referrals from friends and testimonials from others will play a strong role in reinforcing the efforts of a good therapist. Imagine if your friend recommended you to someone, you would feel much more at ease compared to going straight for the next counseller with all the credentials, no? For example, you could ask a friend who used to be hot tempered where he went for anger management therapy, as you can see the benefits in him. As someone who has worked in psychiatry and personally used counselling in my earlier years, as well as observed practice I have some varied comments. Firstly I agree that it should be made clear what the philosophy and style of the prospective counsellor is along with what they profess to provide by way of process and solutions. On point 6 above