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Finding a reliable, trustworthy and above all, an effective therapist can be incredibly difficult. Even more so if you don’t know what are the things you should take into consideration. But since you have already made the first step towards positive change in your life by deciding to start therapy, then there is no need for you to spend all of your free time on the Internet searching for what appears to be the best fit for you. We have made a list of carefully selected skills every effective therapist should have to make it easier for you and avoid any additional stress.
This article is sponsored by BetterHelp.com. For more info see disclosure.
1. Great interpersonal skills
Apart from his knowledge and expertise, every good therapist has to have well developed interpersonal skills. Having a natural ability to listen and expressing genuine interest in their patient is what differentiates an effective therapist from others. Moreover, being compassionate and emphatic will bring positive results since patients will be at ease and sincere about their feelings and issues. However, not everyone will open up and start discussing their problems right away. Which (after all) makes complete sense. It is unrealistic to expect that someone goes from finding you through a simple Google search of Counselling near me and then expect them to be divulging themselves to you within the first few minutes of meeting. Every patient is different and demands an appropriate approach. So a therapist that is a master of a whole set of communication skills will know how to unobtrusively make people put their guard down, build trust and work together on resolving issues.
2. Patience
The healing and growing process is slow and often lasts long-lasting. One cannot expect to overcome their problems overnight. That is why patience is needed on both the therapist’s and the patient’s side. It takes time to accept some things and make progress. That progress will certainly not be fast but baby steps matter as well as those small victories that should be celebrated. This process is like any other. Its duration and progress depend solely on the individual. So it is quintessential for a therapist to accept the pace their client feels comfortable with and to never try to speed it up at their expense.
3. Flexibility
Client’s needs are the most important that is why an effective therapist needs to be always available and ready to meet them. If the predetermined treatment is not yielding the expected results, then it is time for a change in the approach. There is absolutely no need for forcing treatment that seems to be unsuitable for the client. Also, sometimes, clients can be late for their appointments, or in a need of an emergency session, or simply forced to suddenly cancel them. In order to handle these situations and provide the best service and care for their clients, an effective therapist needs to employ flexibility and great organizational skills.
4. Self-awareness
Self-awareness is one of the most significant traits that a therapist can possess. A therapist that is aware of their insecurities and faults, can restrain himself from reacting defensively or too emotionally when confronted with a similar issue they may share with their client. And once confronted, they will help their client overcome this obstacle by providing them with support, understanding, and advice. Similarly, a therapist that is fully conscious of the way they are, will accept their client as well and show no judgment of any kind which will most certainly beneficial to the therapy.
5. Responsibility
Upon taking a client, there is great responsibility on the part of the therapist because they oblige themselves to help them cope with their problems and insecurities and ultimately overcome them. That is why a therapist should always use their profound knowledge and education to find a way to help their clients. Often, this is not enough so it would be best if the therapist is research-oriented and willing to constantly learn and inform himself about the newest approaches and methods that would be useful and suitable for their clients.
Now that you have read this article, you are definitively acquainted with all the qualities one effective therapist should possess. Bearing all these qualities in mind, you are ready to find the therapist that will help you introduce a positive change in your life.
This article is sponsored by BetterHelp.
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