Lec 3: Qualities of a Good Therapist

Trustworthy

• Follows through with promises

• Consistent

• Truthful

Motivating

• Knows how to balance pushing and supporting people

  • Knows client interests and motivations

  • Compliments the clients personality

  • Recognizes potential of client

Empowering

• Gives back client’s internal locus of control

  • Assists client with self-awareness

  • Allows client to take credit of their achievements

  • Leads clients, rather than giving them the answers

Empathetic

• Puts self in client’s “shoes”

  • Why are they acting, responding in certain ways

• Makes clients comfortable

  • Active listening

Energetic

• Appropriate level of energy

• Provides steady, gentle guide

Calm

• does not let emotions guide decision-making

• neutral but invested and oriented

• does not express feelings too much initially

assertive

• clear directions and sets expectations

• feelings into words

• structured

• decisive

Positive

• makes things work

• exploring other means for things to work when one fails

Attentive

• concentrates outward instead of inward

• acts upon observations

Friendly

• Able to make clients comfortable

• Able to sustain conversations

Flexible

• Adaptable: adapts to the client and their mood

  • Becomes what the client needs, or makes allowances for the client’s needs

  • Acts, without denying own personality

logical

• Uses logical reason to understand clients

• Explains the WHY’s or rationale for decision-making

Firm

• Shifts power back to client even if they resist taking responsibility at first

Collaborative

• Discusses and negotiates with client

  • particularly when resistance or barriers are found

Humorous

• breaks the tension

• shows client your humanity

• shares about self appropriately

Persuasive

• delivers the reality of the situation

  • positive and negative

• Easier to do when the therapist understands the client and knows what is important to the client

Open

• “I give of myself and let people know about me to the extent it is appropriate”

• Accepting and giving feedback

Respectful

• No hierarchies in human relationship

• mutual respect

Playful

• promotes fun

• for both children and adults

Easy-going

• gets along with different types of people

• makes no demands from the relationship

Watchfulness

• gives enough time for the client to process and respond

• related to attentiveness

caring

• emotionally involved within boundaries

• important aspect for therapeutic relationship

giving

• giving time and effort when needed the most

direct

• promotes open discussions

  • leaving things unaddressed can be burdensome

patient

• keeps hope

• keeps trying until successful

Spontaneous

• Is real with people, while being empathetic

• Adjusts style, not personality for client

Humble

• Open to feedback

• Knows there is always room for mistakes

Reliable

• Organizes self and tasks ethically

  • Self-management

  • Personal Integrity

Gentle

• Tactful, honest, resilient but gentle

• Non-threatening