Counseling is "the application of mental health, psychological or human development principles, through cognitive, effective, behavioral or systemic interventions, strategies that address wellness, personal growth or career development, as well as pathology"-(Samuel T Gladding page 4 2007). Counseling is not for everyone, it poses some weaknesses just as they may bring forth your strengths. There are certain traits that a counselor must have in order to practice this profession. Having those qualities doesn't mean they can counsel everyone. .
A. Strengths .
Because of the various ways one can be counseled, there are various strengths or weaknesses a counselor may or may not have. With that being said, if someone uses social learning theory approach, they may have the strengths of comprehensiveness in order help the client find out what he can do to find the solution. Michelle did indeed have these qualities and as the client it was quiet easy to find an answer within myself by her probing. The most imperative quality for counselors doing this work is the ability to stay steadily on course regardless of the obstacles that can quickly be thrown in by clients. It might likewise be this quality that gives the vital component in building up a holding environment inside which the client can feel secure. Another is one where the councilor has a non-judgmental, warm and supportive personality, where there is a lot of experience to be used. Being empathetic and having a keen eye enables a counselor to pick out the unspoken clues of a person's behavior. As the counselor, Michelle did indeed admit that she has gone through the same thing, and as she got a younger sibling she did the same to them. So it helped me to understand that what I was going through was the real nature of how things go naturally. There is a line between abuse and "kids being kids" and I was still in the boundaries of "kids being kids".