7 Characteristics that Make an Effective Therapist

This is a loaded question for sure and a great one at that—perspectives about what makes a “great” therapist may vary. When viewing the research, there are a few consistent qualities that stand out.

The following qualities are excellent examples:

There are a few items on this long list that I value. My choices are based on my years of experience and supervising new interns and clinicians.

1. Empathy & Understanding- Any health professional that has direct interaction with a human being during a time of vulnerability requires the authentic skill of connection and understanding. A deep understanding of a person’s experience is a direct example of empathy. A therapist learns to develop the ability to feel what their client feels in that moment. Feeling sorry for or pitying a person steers away from the art of practicing empathy and can create disconnection in the relationship. I prioritized this quality because I believe it is the most valuable in a relationship. Empathy establishes the foundation for trust, compassion, and personal growth within the counseling relationship.
   

2. Patience—Some of us are blessed with this quality and others are still learning. The skill of patience is deeply valued as a counselor learns to sit with a client, allow for silence, or trust the process of treatment. As helping professionals, our desire can easily skip steps the client needs to experience or move out at our pace and not theirs.
   

3. Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR)—Carl Rogers made such an impact on the field by recognizing the importance UPR has on a human being in their state of vulnerability. This skill allows a counselor to step outside of their traditional lens of viewing others and see their client in total acceptance. UPR leads to honesty and growth. It may be difficult to provide UPR to every client, but it is worth trying.
   

4. Authenticity—Every individual is different. We all bring unique skills, abilities, and characteristics to a session. This a beautiful aspect of being human. Showing up in your humanity builds true connection and can make lasting change. For the therapist, it can alleviate the pressure of trying to be someone you're not in the therapy room or living up to an inauthentic expectation.
   

5. Multicultural Competency—A therapist will encounter individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, races, and cultures. Being aware of the multifaceted nature of human identities and lifestyles is crucial to the counseling profession. Identifying biases is an important part of showing up with UPR and leaning into multicultural competency.
   

6. Always Learning—Counseling is both an art and a science that continues to evolve. As humans grow and change, staying current with new research to support personal development in the field is essential. Using outdated methods or research can negatively impact the client's growth.
   

7. HOPE—I put "hope" in all caps because it emphasizes its importance in counseling overall. Hope is the reason therapists show up every day. It's why we continue to research. Hope is what enables our clients to show up week after week. A spirit of hope is essential for our clients!

Above are some of the skills that, from my viewpoint, make a “great” and effective counselor. The other skills on the list are also very important for therapists to develop and continue to grow in the field. I look forward to discovering the skills you may value!

References:

The Recipe for Truly Great Counseling” (Counseling Today, Dec. 2012) https://ct.counseling.org/2012/12/the-recipe-for-truly-great-counseling/