,
, Empathy and understanding
Emotional insightfulness
Introspection
Capacity for self-denial
Tolerance of intimacy
Comfort with power
Ability to laugh
Qualities of Effective Counselors over Time
Intellectual competence
Energy
Flexibility
Support
Goodwill
Self-awareness
Maintaining Effectiveness as a Counselor
Handling stressful life events while still counseling others can result in synchronicity,
events that occur coincidentally result in a meaningful connection. In other words,
handling one’s own life events may enhance his/her counseling.
Remain objective, accepting and confronting situations, asserting own wishes,
participating in a wellness lifestyle, and grieving.
o Counselors who have healthy lifestyles and learn from their mistakes and
successes are more likely to be effective with their clients.
o Those who wish to enter the profession need to adapt to losses as well as gains
and remain relatively free from destructive triangling patterns (i.e., mom tells
daughter about frustration with dad, dad tells daughter about frustrations with
mom).
Avoid problematic behaviors, such as burnout.
o Burnout is the state of becoming emotionally or physically drained to the point
that one cannot perform functions meaningfully. Counselors must develop
interests outside counseling and avoid taking their work home.
o Ways to prevent burnout:
Associate with healthy individuals.
Work with committed colleagues and organizations that have a sense of
mission.
Be reasonably committed to a theory of counseling.
Use stress-reduction exercises.
Modify environmental stressors.
Engage in self-assessment.
Periodically examine and clarify counseling roles, expectations, and
beliefs.
Obtain personal therapy.
4
Counseling A Comprehensive Profession 8th Edition Samuel T.
, Set aside free and private time.
Maintain an attitude of detached concern when working with clients.
Retain an attitude of hope.
Professional Aspects of Counseling
Levels of Helping
o Nonprofessional helpers
Friends, colleagues, untrained volunteers, or supervisors
Various degrees of wisdom and skills
No specific educational requirements, level of helping varies
o Generalist human services workers
Have some formal training in human relations skills but work as part of a
team
Mental health technicians, child care workers, probation personnel, and
youth counselors
o Professional helpers
Educated to provide assistance on both a preventive and a remedial level
Counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, psychiatric
nurses, and marriage and family therapists
Have specialized advanced degrees and have had supervised internships
Professional Helping Specialties
o Counselors frequently interact with psychiatrists, psychologists, and social
workers:
Psychiatrists – have an MD and complete a residency in psychiatry. They
work with people who have major psychological disorders. They work
within the biomedical model and prescribe medicine for disorders. Their
clients are called patients. They must pass a national and state exam.
Psychologists – have a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.), doctorate of
education (Ed.D.), or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). Coursework and
internships are centered on clinical, counseling, or school-related areas.
State licensures vary. Clinical counselors are usually listed in the national
Register of Health Service Providers.
Social workers – usually earn a master’s of social work degree (M.S.W.);
however, some universities grant a bachelor’s of social work. Some
M.S.W.s have advanced training at the doctoral level. All social workers
have completed internships in social agencies.
The Education of Professional Counselors
o Professional counselors hold either a master’s or doctorate (or both) in counseling
and complete internships in specialty areas. They are usually certified by the
National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) and/or are licensed by a state.
o Standards for CACREP approved master’s degree programs are listed in your
text.
5
Counseling A Comprehensive Profession 8th Edition Samuel T.
, Empathy and understanding
Emotional insightfulness
Introspection
Capacity for self-denial
Tolerance of intimacy
Comfort with power
Ability to laugh
Qualities of Effective Counselors over Time
Intellectual competence
Energy
Flexibility
Support
Goodwill
Self-awareness
Maintaining Effectiveness as a Counselor
Handling stressful life events while still counseling others can result in synchronicity,
events that occur coincidentally result in a meaningful connection. In other words,
handling one’s own life events may enhance his/her counseling.
Remain objective, accepting and confronting situations, asserting own wishes,
participating in a wellness lifestyle, and grieving.
o Counselors who have healthy lifestyles and learn from their mistakes and
successes are more likely to be effective with their clients.
o Those who wish to enter the profession need to adapt to losses as well as gains
and remain relatively free from destructive triangling patterns (i.e., mom tells
daughter about frustration with dad, dad tells daughter about frustrations with
mom).
Avoid problematic behaviors, such as burnout.
o Burnout is the state of becoming emotionally or physically drained to the point
that one cannot perform functions meaningfully. Counselors must develop
interests outside counseling and avoid taking their work home.
o Ways to prevent burnout:
Associate with healthy individuals.
Work with committed colleagues and organizations that have a sense of
mission.
Be reasonably committed to a theory of counseling.
Use stress-reduction exercises.
Modify environmental stressors.
Engage in self-assessment.
Periodically examine and clarify counseling roles, expectations, and
beliefs.
Obtain personal therapy.
4
Counseling A Comprehensive Profession 8th Edition Samuel T.
, Set aside free and private time.
Maintain an attitude of detached concern when working with clients.
Retain an attitude of hope.
Professional Aspects of Counseling
Levels of Helping
o Nonprofessional helpers
Friends, colleagues, untrained volunteers, or supervisors
Various degrees of wisdom and skills
No specific educational requirements, level of helping varies
o Generalist human services workers
Have some formal training in human relations skills but work as part of a
team
Mental health technicians, child care workers, probation personnel, and
youth counselors
o Professional helpers
Educated to provide assistance on both a preventive and a remedial level
Counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, psychiatric
nurses, and marriage and family therapists
Have specialized advanced degrees and have had supervised internships
Professional Helping Specialties
o Counselors frequently interact with psychiatrists, psychologists, and social
workers:
Psychiatrists – have an MD and complete a residency in psychiatry. They
work with people who have major psychological disorders. They work
within the biomedical model and prescribe medicine for disorders. Their
clients are called patients. They must pass a national and state exam.
Psychologists – have a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.), doctorate of
education (Ed.D.), or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). Coursework and
internships are centered on clinical, counseling, or school-related areas.
State licensures vary. Clinical counselors are usually listed in the national
Register of Health Service Providers.
Social workers – usually earn a master’s of social work degree (M.S.W.);
however, some universities grant a bachelor’s of social work. Some
M.S.W.s have advanced training at the doctoral level. All social workers
have completed internships in social agencies.
The Education of Professional Counselors
o Professional counselors hold either a master’s or doctorate (or both) in counseling
and complete internships in specialty areas. They are usually certified by the
National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) and/or are licensed by a state.
o Standards for CACREP approved master’s degree programs are listed in your
text.
5
Counseling A Comprehensive Profession 8th Edition Samuel T.
