The fourth reason to seek financial counseling is that society is more complex. We face a greater number of alternatives and choices when making financial decisions, and we seek help with financial decisionmaking. Now that we have discussed what financial counseling is, who needs it, when and why, we should consider how to judge a financial counselor, and where to find a financial counseling service. Anyone can claim that title. The counselor enjoys working with people.
Qualified counselors know the value of, and practice, appropriate silence.
The counselor believes people basically are good, and can and will exercise at least some control over their own destinies. The counselor refers people for appropriate help with personal, marital, chemical abuse, and other malfunctions a financial counselor may not be qualified to deal with. The counselor takes conscious steps to prevent these biases and attitudes from interfering with effective financial counseling. The final solution is not the responsibility, success or failure of the counselor, but of the client. How effective the counselor is depends upon her or his personal philosophy and skill in relating to the particular person or people being advised.