Empathy:
1. Empathy is the ability to understand and identify with the client’s experiences, even if he did not describe his thoughts or feelings explicitly to me. As a therapeutic counsellor, I must be emotionally attuned to my clients’ needs, and be able to help him identify and articulate his feelings.
2. Listening Skills:
As a therapeutic counsellor, I need active listening skill to be able to remember important events and feelings that my clients convey to me. I need to pay attention to what he is not saying, and explore what he is communication even if he is not talking. For example, a survivor of sexual assault who never talks …show more content…
Social and Communication Skills
Good social and communication skills can make a new client feel comfortable during the first meeting or conversation on the phone or via email. Sometimes I may need to refer people to other therapists or to a psychiatrist, and having a strong network of colleagues with whom I communicate with regularly can help give those individuals the best referrals possible. People are also more likely to create a positive therapeutic relationship with a therapist who is a good communicator, as this can convey confidence and assertiveness.
4. Boundary Setting
To progress from one stage to another during a counselling process I must be able to establish and maintain healthy boundaries with my clients. One aspect of protecting the people I work with during counselling is to avoid dual relationships, particularly relationships that are romantic or sexual in nature. It is not ethical to participate in romantic relationships with my client
I must be able to clearly communicate to clients the nature and limits of the therapeutic relationship. This will usually start during the initial consultation to be able to continue and establish a healthy professional relationship.
5. Critical