Most jobs require a set of specific skills, and in many cases employees can learn while on the job, developing these skills as they progress over years of employment. On the other hand, to be a successful counsellor – one that can make a real difference to people’s lives – requires certain qualities from the offset.
A counsellor provides professional support to people who are struggling with any number of issues, such as stress, addiction, relationship problems and other personal struggles. To become a counsellor, you need specific qualifications of course, but you also need to show some important personal qualities if you hope to make an impact. In this blog, we’ll explore 7 of the most important skills and qualities of a counsellor, as well as some of the steps you can take right now to become one.
7 Key Skills & Qualities of a Counsellor
Being a great counsellor is no walk in the park, but it is certainly made easier if you possess a number of these skills and qualities. If you’re thinking about starting your training, be sure to work on these skills in your personal life whenever possible.
1. Strong communication skills
This goes without saying – a counsellor’s job is to talk to people about their problems and encourage them to open up to show their most vulnerable selves. Without strong communication skills, there is little to no chance of seeing any reasonable improvements in how much your client might be willing to reveal to you about their struggles. Counsellors must be confident holding sessions in person and online, as well as over the phone, and develop a way of probing for more information without being insensitive or causing distress. In many cases, it’s about being able to read the room while also providing a safe space for the client to open up.
2. Research skills
Another key skill of a counsellor is the ability to conduct research and find reliable information. Depending on your specialism, you could have any number of people coming to you with different experiences of a similar issue. This may lead to you requiring more information about a certain condition when you are seeking the ideal solution for your client. Hundreds of scientific journals and papers will no doubt be available to you, but there is definitely skill involved in finding the information that you need, and evaluating it effectively.
3. Observational skills
Being a successful counsellor is not just about offering a shoulder to cry on. In many cases, the underlying cause of your client’s issues will not be handed to you on a plate. You will need to be able to observe not only their conversation and what they reveal to you verbally, but also their body language, facial expressions and even how they interact with others. Noticing any unusual behaviours will provide clues as to how you should approach your sessions, and the kinds of solutions you can offer.
4. Patience
There’s no question that patience is one of the most important qualities a counsellor can have. When working with a client, sometimes several weeks, months or even years can pass before they start showing signs of significant progress. Being able to stay motivated and offer encouragement and support to your client, even when it seems fruitless, is key.
5. Compassion and open-mindedness
A counsellor without compassion is unlikely to be particularly helpful for those who require emotional support. You must have a strong desire to help others, and an ability to be both sympathetic and empathetic when needed. Being compassionate is also about being able to put people at ease, letting them open up in their own time and offering comfort if it is clear they are struggling. Similarly, you must have an open mind about how different people choose to deal with their emotions. As a counsellor you will be faced with an enormous range of people struggling with issues to varying degrees of severity. Learning that everyone differs in how they approach their own struggles is hugely important.
6. Trustworthiness
If you do not come across as trustworthy, it is unlikely your clients will feel comfortable confiding in you. One of the key qualities of a counsellor is being able to offer a safe space for people to explore their emotional struggles. Without trust, this is near impossible. Try to establish a degree of trust from the offset, and grow this as the relationship between you and your client solidifies.
7. Reasoning skills
Counselling is of course about communicating and understanding, but there is also an element of reasoning that is involved. A key quality of a good counsellor is being able to notice subtle differences between problems that may not be related to one another, and being able to decipher where key issues are stemming from. Seeing the bigger picture, being able to link key issues together and working out where in a client’s life they need the most on-hand support can be life changing.
Do you think you have some of these essential skills and qualities that will help you to become a counsellor? If you’re thinking about starting a training course or you would just like to know more about what it takes, get in touch with the team at The Awareness Centre for more information.
