How do you work out if you have a decent counsellor? Are they competent, skilled and professional?

Try these questions:

• What are your qualifications?
• What associations and professional bodies are you a member of?
• Are you receiving supervision? (note: profesional counsellors are required to receive independent supervision from another counsellor)
• What is your ongoing program of training?
• How do you keep up with the latest research?
• What do you do if you think a particular client needs more help than you can offer?
• How many other clients have you worked with who have similar problems to mine?

You have a decent counsellor if you feel you can trust them to understand where you are coming from. This may take a couple of sessions.

Some qualities to look for in a good counsellor is that of empathy, good listening ability, a non-judgmental approach with the ability to help you feel safe and relaxed enough to able you to tell your story.

If after two sessions, you don’t feel a level of comfortableness, tell the counsellor.

If you don’t feel confident enough to tell the counsellor, either ask for a referral or make contact with another counsellor.

Only change and growth will happen if the therapeutic relationship between you and the counsellor is a good one.

Phone 03 9018 9356
Email Gabby Skelsey or phone 0419 154 579
Email Maralyn Karpathiou or phone 0438 056 780