[ThingWithFeathers]

What do you think are the best qualities a T can have? I value compassion, kindness and a caring disposition.

[RedSun]

Me too, and strength to take on whatever you bring, and go there with you. Calmness, and actually some knowledge of tactics to try. Flexibility, so they know when to give up on a tactic and try something new. A kettle.

[brillskep]

Genuine caring. Willingness to really listen and to see me, to learn to work with me as a unique individual, even if the therapist has experience. Honesty and diplomacy together. Intelligence, knowledge and skills. A very strong sense of ethics and healthy, flexible boundaries. Willingness to communicate openly and collaborate. Availability to pay attention to the therapist's own faults and not just claim everything comes from the client (and more generally, I expect my therapist to have been a client in therapy longer than I have been, if we are to work for more than a couple of sessions). Respect for my experience and point of view, and generally for me as a person (and also for him/herself, of course). Mutual trust.

I think an open mind to each and every client and to be able to recognise that each client has different needs and will react differently to situations because of their experiences. I like a t to be honest too and that's all I ask w a willingness to try and understand me.

Enough experience and skill to see the client as an individual and tailor their approach as needed to best help that individual.

Straight-forwardness combined with compassion.

Solid, healthy professional boundaries.

[LindaLu]

A T who shows equality and respect. Compassion without pity. Like Brillskep says, "not just claim everything comes from the client."

[stopdog]

The ability to stay back, not take things personally, and explain what they are doing or getting at and why. Also, being well read. Keep caring and empathy, should they think they do such a thing or have them, away from me.

[archipelago]

I value being understood even more than feeling cared for. Empathy is essential, but it is often taken as a more emotional thing, when in fact it has the additional component of understanding, of really getting it.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Kind, caring, empathetic, understanding, honest, open, intelligent, present, sense of humor, patient, consistent, respectful, flexible, authentic, equals, assertive, passionate, and a little weird

[junkDNA]

sense of humor, gentle, intelligent, laid-back

[JustShakey]

Tough as f-ing nails, able to withstand whatever a client might bring in the room while meeting them with understanding and acceptance.

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Ability to handle termination in a healthy way that is not damaging to the client. Honestly, you can think you have the best therapist in the world, but until the therapy is over and done you don't really know. If you have a horrible termination with a "good" therapist it can cause severe emotional damage.

Compassion. Empathy. Being willing to think outside the box. Being willing to meet the clients needs. My t is wonderful about those things.

[amayastar]

Genuine, Caring, empathetic, Honest even when you don't want to hear it. Not afraid to touch clients when they need it.

Smarts and a great sense of humor.

[Petra5ed]

I think compassion, openness, and patience.