Hallmarks of an Effective Counselor
Posted: March 4, 2024
By: Natasha Cooke, MS, LPC Associate
Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S
They Work with Your Population
It's important that your therapist be versed in working with your population. For example, if you are a young male in your teen years who is struggling with anxiety and depression, you may not want a therapist who only specializes in marriage counseling and relationship issues. Ideally, you'd want to find a therapist that works with your age, gender, communities you are in (for example, LGBTQIA + or the Deaf community), and the issues you are currently facing. For instance, if you want someone to help you work through your past childhood traumas, you may want to find someone who specializes in trauma-informed therapy.
You Generally Have a Good Feeling About the Therapeutic Relationship
Last, and most importantly, you will know you have found an effective therapist for you if you find yourself feeling comfortable and safe talking with your therapist. It will most likely take several sessions before you begin to truly open up to your counselor. However, your counselor will create a safe environment for you to speak your mind free of any judgment. A good therapist does not tell you what to do but rather helps you come up with the solution on your own; this could happen through you simply gaining insight into your situation by processing in talk therapy or by trying your counselor's suggestions. Moreover, you will have a genuine "good feeling" about the therapeutic relationship and feel comfortable enough to process the "uncomfortable stuff" that is bringing you into therapy!
Hallmarks of an Effective Counselor
The thought of beginning therapy can be daunting and overwhelming. Especially when you consider, there may be dozens or even hundreds of therapists available near you or online. How will you know if a therapist is a good one or the right fit for you? Here are some key signs that a therapist may be the right fit.Signs a Counselor Will Be Effective for You
In general, therapy methods can vary significantly from one therapist to the next. Counselors are taught various theories of conducting therapy, and then, with time and practice, they select an approach that they find most suitable for them and their clients. Therefore, because therapists practice from many different perspectives, it may be difficult to know which one will be most effective for you. Luckily, I've highlighted some key aspects that will help you know if your new counselor will be effective for you.They Work with Your Population
It's important that your therapist be versed in working with your population. For example, if you are a young male in your teen years who is struggling with anxiety and depression, you may not want a therapist who only specializes in marriage counseling and relationship issues. Ideally, you'd want to find a therapist that works with your age, gender, communities you are in (for example, LGBTQIA + or the Deaf community), and the issues you are currently facing. For instance, if you want someone to help you work through your past childhood traumas, you may want to find someone who specializes in trauma-informed therapy.
The Counseling Approach Matches What You Want from Therapy
While there are dozens, and some say even hundreds, of approaches to counseling, the main difference between them is how direct your counselor will be with you. For example, a counselor who practices person-centered therapy will lean more on the side of providing you with a safe space to process whatever it is that you need to. At the same time, a therapist who utilizes Psychoeducation may lean more on the side of teaching you effective tools that you can use to cope with life's stressors or help you better understand mental health in general. Some therapists may be more direct and assign homework or structure therapy by helping you create goals to work towards.You Generally Have a Good Feeling About the Therapeutic Relationship 
Last, and most importantly, you will know you have found an effective therapist for you if you find yourself feeling comfortable and safe talking with your therapist. It will most likely take several sessions before you begin to truly open up to your counselor. However, your counselor will create a safe environment for you to speak your mind free of any judgment. A good therapist does not tell you what to do but rather helps you come up with the solution on your own; this could happen through you simply gaining insight into your situation by processing in talk therapy or by trying your counselor's suggestions. Moreover, you will have a genuine "good feeling" about the therapeutic relationship and feel comfortable enough to process the "uncomfortable stuff" that is bringing you into therapy!
Begin Therapy with an Effective Counselor in Katy, TX!
If you need more direction to help manage your emotions, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:- Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more information
- Meet with one of our knowledgeable therapists
- Find ways to thrive through therapy today!