Effective Counselors
George is a current psychology student pursuing a career in counseling and his supervisors have suggested that he makes a career change due to his incompetence to be an effective counselor (Argosy University, 2018). George has exhibited reprehensible behaviors and qualities about himself that does not fit well with what it is expected of him as a counselor as he is judgmental, shallow, defensive, and opinionated (Argosy University, 2018). A counselor displaying any form of bias, judgmental, or defensive behavior can enhance an uncomfortable environment between them and the client and potentially damage the relationship. This paper analyzes how George’s methods of dealing with others are ineffective and what effective counseling …show more content…
These qualities include having an unconditional positive regard for others, possessing active listening skills, possessing empathy, possessing an open mind, and possessing an unbiased/neutral stance (Argosy University, 2018). According to Carl Rogers, counselors should remain unbiased and maintain a positive regard (Henriques, 2013). Rogers offers steps to assist in establishing and maintaining a positive regard, such as to analyzing the client’s actions or personality by comprehending their perception, analyzing the client’s morals and values and their influence, maintaining congruence by understanding the client is not you, and lastly, remain open minded about new information to provide appropriate solutions (Henriques, 2013). Active listening ensures that you are not only comprehending the message being communicated, but also suggesting appropriate feedback and solutions that is in the best interest of the client (Eagle, 2014). Possessing empathy is also an ideal quality to have as it allows the counselor to view a situation or viewpoint from the client’s perspective (Argosy University, 2018). Many people seek the assistance from a counselor because counselors are not only unfamiliar (nonjudgement/bias), but also because they can be a source of understanding. It’s comforting to hear from someone “I understand” because it places shoes on someone else’s feet offers reassurance, and allows the …show more content…
George can practice active listening by being attentive to the clients and refraining from “listening” with the sole intention of responding. He can do this by asking questions to clarify what the client is stating and by using paraphrasing to ensure comprehension. George can also become cognizant of his to become aware of his nonverbal behavior and how he speaks to his clients (Bruner, 2014). Often we are not aware of what we say, how we say things, how our words affect people unless it is presented to us, or even our body language. Majority of communication is most known through nonverbal communication. And lastly, George could also practice exhibiting empathy by placing himself in someone else’s shoes (Bruner, 2014). Exhibiting empathy could also mean genuinely guiding the client towards appropriate solutions and refrain from imposing his morals, values, and beliefs onto the