A counselor must have effective interpersonal attributes that enhance leadership and successful client interactions. The top three essential characteristics of a good counselor include empathetic traits, a sense of humor, personal power, and active listening (Giacomucci, 2021). Clients respond well to emphatic gestures since it eliminates the feeling of estrangement. As a counselor, I will accomplish many things by identifying with the client’s pain and feelings by making them aware that they are not alone and sharing similar experiences. Empathy and sharing experiences may lead to openness and obtaining more information from the client, which can help give appropriate counselling. Additionally, the attribute encourages clients to have a collaborative relationship with the counselor that is supportive and non-judgmental.
Active listening is essential in any group activity and counselling process. I believe in active listening to understand clients’ non-verbal and verbal cues, which can assist in handling individual problems. Ultimately, it is important to understand the personal responsibility of managing group therapies toward positive outcomes (Giacomucci, 2021). I can possess the personal power to steer the group in the right direction by making choices, modeling the group, and intervening appropriately to ensure the recovery of the clients. Thus, I will be aware of the choices I make considering the group’s preferences since the group’s outcomes depend on my choices.
Despite possessing the essential characteristics, potential barriers may hamper effective leadership. The challenging blocks include personal biases and gender issues which may affect the counseling process. I may have a personal perception of a client’s situation, which can influence my views on the counseling process and create a communication barrier that leads to ineffective leadership. Likewise, I have experienced gender barriers where clients of the opposite sex may withhold essential information critical to the counselling process and leadership. Nonetheless, I will practice the three leadership qualities that will help eliminate the hampering blocks.
Finally, the TIP 41 video lecture contains valuable and interesting information regarding cognitive behaviors and individual thinking. I find the information about cognitive distortion valuable in counselling as it helps understand the client’s negativity and appropriate counselling to ensure recovery. I have learned that counselors need to embrace evidence-based practices to enhance quality care and counselling during therapy. Evidence-based practice has proved effective in many settings and can be incorporated into counseling to improve patient recovery and decision-making for counselors and clients.
Reference
Giacomucci, S. (2021). Social work, sociometry, and psychodrama. Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education. Web.