Counselling psychology is much like any other field; success in it demands certain personality traits from its practitioners. Although attitudes can be developed and skills can be learned in good counselling psychology courses, some qualities are inherent and absolutely more powerful when bestowed by nature. Luckily, as early as today, you can find out if a job as a counsellor is right for you. Look into the following prior to signing up for a counselling psychology certificate course.
- Can you make people feel at ease? Actual counselling process could only begin when clients are at ease. Hence it is very important to know how to break the ice. An excellent way to see if you can do this well is to attend to house guests or to new members of a group you belong to. Did your guest appear to enjoy the visit? Can you make a shy person participate in discussions? If you can, chances are you will make a competent counsellor.
- Can you keep an open mind? You will surely meet clients whose views are different from yours so if standing at opposite poles bring out a judgmental attitude in you, perhaps it would be better to consider other careers. Counsellors that are judgmental almost always end up alienating their clients. Though it’s hard to say that you are totally non-judgmental or not a fan of discrimination, if you rarely scoff at other people’s tastes and choices, it’s a good sign.
- Can you express genuine warmth? Counsellor-client relationships are quite far from many other professional relationships as it is often necessary for clients to disclose personal details. Reasonably, they look for genuine understanding and kindness to be able to open up. If you can shower some love to people other than your friends and family, you got it then. Warmth should be demonstrated with utmost care, however, as there are clients who might get intimidated or scared by it.
- Can you keep things confidential? From the most heartbreaking to the most embarrassing, you will hear them all. And this is why you should have great self control over keeping things just between you and your client. Someone told you a secret? Were you able to keep your promise not to tell? It’s a simple test but telling of your future as a counsellor. Ethics is always a part of any quality counselling psychology courses but still a challenge to have despite completion of psychology certificate course.