Advice for a future health service provider?

Hi everyone!

I'm currently going to school and studying behavioral/mental health and counseling. I'm not really sure what profession I want, but I do know I want to work in the behavioral/mental health field.

I was just wondering what characteristics make a helpful counselor/helper/practitioner? What skills or what qualities make clients/consumers/participants/individuals (I apologize if any of these terms offend anyone) open up?

It would be very beneficial to know how I can encourage the therapeutic relationship and help an individual. And I would love to hear any advice or experiences with a professional (if you would like to share).

I sincerely appreciate any and all feedback. I'm excited to talk to you all!

I have had several therapists over the last few years. There were two who genuinely seemed to care. So, I would say that is a good quality to have.
Also, I think they teach therapists to NOT react emotionally to what a client says. But I had one therapist that came across as being indifferent when another person in the group said she was tempted to cut herself.
I think a therapist needs to genuinely care, but to react appropriately, not indifferently.
Thats all for now.

Thank you for your advice, and I really appreciate you sharing your experience with me. So, I should genuinely care about the individuals I see, and not come off as indifferent. May I ask how your therapists showed they cared without crossing that professional boundary? Because sometimes I feel as though therapists/practitioners have to withhold emotion to remain professional, and I don't want to come off as a strict or unfriendly professional.
Thanks again!

When I first met my current therapist, i was relating a something traumatic that happened to me. She responded with "Oh!" and her tone of voice, her words, and her facial expression said she truly cared. (Have to go now the library is about to close).

One of my counselors, used to hug when I left, however, she asked permission first. Also, if something she wasn't familar with came up, she would go by a book and read up on it.

My next counselor was really laid back but did show great concern and would pat my shoulder when I left. I think the most important thing they do is show they care. I have seen many more over the years but those two stuck out the most.

So I have to be mindful of body language/non-verbal actions. Thank you I really appreciate it!

Okay so just to summarize: Physical contact like a hug is good as long as its okay with a client/individual/patient. And a professional should be honest if he/she doesn't know the answer to a particular question and take the initiative to find the answer to provide his/her client. And knowing that your counselors cared through small gestures made them helpful and memorable counselors in your eyes. Thank you for your stories!

I think not only compassion and empathy are very important. But another essential thing is boundaries. Hugs and such, I like. But there's a big difference in showing that you care and going too far. I had to stop seeing one therp because, although she cared about me very much, she had no boundaries. I still care about her, but would have never gone back to her. My therp now is very empathetic, kind and helpful. She has helped me tremendously so far. Good luck.

Okay so I should be compassionate and empathetic within the professional boundary. If I forget that boundary I could very well ruin a therapeutic relationship, right? Thank you for your help and your story (and the luck!)

Yes! I know for me personally, I specifically stated to my therp that I like boundaries and respect theirs as well as want mine respected. I like a therp who will make suggestions but not try to control or make me feel like I'm being manipulated. After all, as an adult, I'm the one who suffers the consequences of my decisions. And that way I can't blame someone else for my mistakes. I know you probably realize that these are my issues for many reasons. The therp I go to now respects boundaries, makes suggestions, is empathetic and very obviously cares. I think the world of her and have trusted her significantly considering I've only been going to her for a year.

Sounds like you'll be a good addition to the mental health field since you cared enough to even ask opinions.

I apologize for the late response! But thank you! I really hope to be a helpful professional. And with your help and everyone else's I think I'll get closer and closer to being a good one. Based on your experience I'll be sure to let people I see make their own decisions and I won't force them into doing anything. Thanks again!!!

I'm not exactly in your field. I teach sex ed, but my boss is a counselor. When I had a student be very disrespectful to me, we talked about the power of validation, so I guess just always be sure to let others how that how they feel is totally acceptable.

My therapist tells me she is proud of me for even small steps in the right direction. Her words have had a great impact on me. I did not even realize I needed to hear someone say they were proud of me.

Okay so I should let those I see know that their emotions are acceptable, and I shouldn't tell them flat out that how they feel is wrong. And from your example, I should talk to who I see and not react to their disrespect toward me. Thank you for your help!

So giving feedback, encouragement, and praise (and things like that) is helpful and motivating! That's wonderful! Thank you for sharing!