Topic: counseling-fundamentals

Question: What are the skills needed by a counselor?
What are the basic skills a good counselor needs to have?

Answer (from Elena Engle, LMHC, EMDRVery Good Counseling):
Some basic skills are empathy, you should feel heard and understood. The therapist should keep the focus on you since counseling is about you and the issues your facing. That being said if you feel like they are sharing too much it’s going okay to say this. They should also be able to identify some coping skills to help you manage the symptoms your experiencing.

Answer (from Dr Traci KochendorferTime for you to " Claim IT" with over 15 years in health and wellness, Ph.D Psy.D D.D. F.P.L.C. recognized on TV and Magazines,):
Many skills and education and years of it plus experience.  And many have done or went through their own and can relate.  A lot of times many are just not happy with counselors with just the traditional type of education and want someone who can relate or even inspire to self grow.    They need to be creative and very authentic.  TO understand that it is not about the client thinking the counselor is going to solve their problems it is about separating and helping guide them to their goals as a result in what makes them a full filled individual.  Plus as a counselor we continue to expand our skills and we also have our own masters so that we can be better for our practice.

Answer (from Kaileen McMickle, MS, LPCLicensed Professional Counselor):
Counselors are actually required to have many skills before walking into the field.We need to know a lot about all disorders, as well as techniques that best compliment them; however, that may look different depending on who we are sitting with.  That skill is the ability to integrate assessments over the span of counseling to best fit the client's needs.  Humans are complex so it's important to stay flexible!Because the client-counselor relationship is the best predictor of therapy outcomes, skills here are crucial.  Counselors need to really be authentic, which includes sharing empathetic responses with the client.  I have met a few clients that worry that those skills are feigned because it's our job, but these responses are very real.  We care about our clients and want to express that to them.A skill that we use often all through counseling but especially in the beginning is conceptualization.  Very important because it not only helps in understanding our clients' perspective, but helps to get a picture of the different pieces of why someone is functioning the way they are.  Yes, humans are complex, but we become pretty simple when you work out all the parts.  For example, if your pattern is to yell in arguments, a way to conceptualize that is that the trigger is the argument, your body goes into fight mode, you feel adrenaline and anger, you then yell to reduce anger.  That reduction you feel in anger reinforces yelling, and if it made you feel better in the moment, that's a reward even if you feel guilty later on.  Every behavior can be conceptualized and helps both the counselor and client understand all the elements of functioning and helps guide the focus.Some counselors specialize in areas or have a niche.  That doesn't make a counselor better than any other counselor, but could make them a better fit for you.  Knowing what you need out of a counselor is most important!

Answer (from Dr. Timothy Paul'man'; Online - "Natural Health Consultant and Coach"):
1) An awareness of their own incompetence and inexperience with events in your life;2) An awareness of how the body, mind, emotions, spirit, and others all intertwine and activate one another;3) How to work to use these connections to have you improve your experience...Oh yeah, and there's some listening in there, as well :)

Answer (from Kevin MimmsBuilding Better Connections):
Here is a list of skills I use every session, and a short explanation of what they are:Reflecting: Paraphrasing what clients have said so that they know you understand themValidating: Helping clients to know that their point of view is valuable and rationalClient-centered talk: Maintaining focus on the client in therapy sessions, rather than a therapist talking about themselvesAttending: Nonverbal or verbal cues that indicate I am listening to a client (i.e., nodding, leaning in, affirmations)Reframing: Helping a client to see a problematic behavior or situation in a different way (usually only works well after they feel heard and understood)

Answer (from David KleinHumanistic, LGBT-Affirmative Psychotherapy for Individuals & Couples):
I think that the most important skill a good counselor has is the ability to empathize (whether that be natural empathy, or trained, empathy is essential.) A good counselor also knows the difference between identifying with their client, and empathizing with their client. An ability to not bring in our own baggage (we all have baggage and most are "wounded healers") into our work, as it's not about us. If it is brought in, it should be in only a way that can help a client.And to listen...specifically to what the client is needing.

Answer (from Sherry Katz, LCSWCouples and Family Therapist, LCSW):
To be non-judgemental, know who they themselves are, be able to step forward and ask questions with ease and grace into painful emotional areas.Also to respect human difference in accomplishing basic life tasks and everyday living.