Counselling, it’s a highly personal and unique experience for each individual who seeks it. Clients I’ve worked with come with a wide range of issues, and their reasons for seeking counselling can also vary greatly. However, regardless of their specific concerns, all the clients share a common desire: they want their counsellor to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space for them to explore their thoughts and emotions.

Here are some of the key things that I’ve found clients typically look for in a counsellor:

1. Empathy and Understanding
One of the most important things that clients want from their counsellor is empathy and understanding. They want to feel that their counsellor is listening to them, trying to understand their perspective, and offering them support and guidance without judgment.

Empathy involves being able to see the world from the client’s perspective, to understand their emotions and experiences, and to reflect that back to them in a way that helps them feel heard and validated. Clients want to feel that their counsellor understands what they’re going through and that they care about their well-being.

2. Good Communication Skills
Another important quality that clients look for in a counsellor is good communication skills. They want a counsellor who is able to listen actively, ask insightful questions, and offer helpful feedback and guidance, things they may not have been aware of. They also want a counsellor who can explain things in a clear and easy-to-understand way, and support them to understand some of the dynamics that are happening in their lives.

Good communication skills also involve being able to create a safe and supportive environment for the client. Some skills that can support clients on their journey through counselling, are respect for the client, patience, and creating a space that fosters trust. So, they can feel that they are able to share their thoughts and feelings.

3. Professionalism
Clients also want their counsellor to be professional in their approach. This not only means that the counsellor should be knowledgeable and experienced in their field, and should have the appropriate qualifications and credentials. They should also be able to maintain appropriate boundaries with the client and should act in a way that is consistent with ethical guidelines and professional standards.

Professionalism also involves being reliable and punctual, and respecting the client’s time and confidentiality. Clients want to feel that they can trust their counsellor to keep their sessions confidential, and to be available when they need them.

4. Flexibility
Clients also appreciate flexibility in their counsellor. This means that the counsellor should be able to adapt their approach to meet the client’s needs and preferences. For example, some clients may prefer a more structured approach, while others may want a more free-flowing, open-ended conversation. A good counsellor should be able to accommodate these preferences and work collaboratively with the client to find a style and pace that suits them.

Flexibility also means being open to feedback and willing to adjust their approach if it’s not working for the client. Clients want a counsellor who is responsive to their needs and who can adapt to their changing circumstances and goals.

5. Empowerment
Clients often seek counselling because they feel stuck or overwhelmed by their situation. They want their counsellor to help them gain new insights and perspectives, and to develop skills and strategies to help them cope with their challenges. But beyond that, clients also want to feel empowered by the counselling process.

They want to feel that they have the tools and resources they need to take control of their lives and make positive changes. A good counsellor will help their clients build self-awareness, resilience, and confidence, and will empower them to take charge of their own healing and growth.

6. Trust and Connection
Finally, clients want to feel a sense of trust and connection with their counsellor. They want to feel that they can be open and honest with their counsellor, and that their counsellor will hold their best interests at heart. They want to feel that they have a strong and supportive relationship with their counsellor, and that they can rely on them for guidance and support.

This trust and connection is built over time, through the counsellor’s consistent support and attentiveness to the client’s needs. It involves creating a space where the client feels seen, heard, and valued, and where they can explore their inner world without fear or judgment.

In conclusion, clients seek a wide range of things from their counsellor, but at the core of it all is a desire for safety, support, and understanding. A good counsellor will provide a non-judgmental, empathetic, and supportive space for their clients to explore their thoughts and emotions, while also empowering them to take control of their own healing and growth. By building a strong and trusting relationship with their clients, counsellors can help their clients achieve meaningful and lasting change in their lives.

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