Good counsellor; bad counsellor
Not all counsellors are good counsellors. Some should be
avoided as they’re clearly unskilled and don’t offer clients the service they
deserve. So what are the warning signs to pay attention to; what should notice
and view as a red flag?
1. The counsellor is attempting to work outside their
area of training and expertise.
2. The counsellor has their own agenda – instead of
working on your personal goals.
3. The counsellor fails to offer you a contract for
service, information on your rights as a client, and information on their
ethical policies.
4. The counsellor is judgmental or criticises your
attitudes, choices, decisions or lifestyle.
5. The counsellor is harsh or confrontational (instead of
being accepting, understanding and empathic).
6. The counsellor fails to listen carefully, or to give
you their full attention in the session. (For example, they allow
interruptions, or they seem distracted and miss important details you have
shared).
7. The counsellor forgets your name and doesn’t remember information
you shared at a previous counselling session.
8. The counsellor adopts a one-up position, and treats
you as inferior or uninformed. (This can include using psychobabble.)
9. The counsellor acts as if they have all the answers
and tells you what to do, or offers you advice.
10. The counsellor either talks too much, or not at all.
11. The counsellor reacts or gets defensive when you
offer feedback or voice dissatisfaction.
12. The counsellor knowingly, or unknowingly, is getting
their needs met at your expense. (For example, they may talk excessively about
themselves, or similar problems they’ve had, or are having.)
13. The counsellor seems overwhelmed by your problems.
14. The counsellor seems uncomfortable with displays of
emotion. They seem more at ease with facts than feelings.
15. The counsellor is uninterested in your culture or
spirituality.
16. The counsellor tries to push their culture and
spiritual beliefs on you.
17. The counsellor flirts with you, or is interested in
developing a romantic or sexual relationship with you.
18. The counsellor discloses personal information about
you without your written consent. Alternatively, he or she shares personal
information about his or her other clients.
19. The counsellor is late for, cancels or forgets
appointments.
20. The counsellor has unresolved complaints with their
licensing board.
Image Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/127744
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