Which personal characteristics of effective counselors would be most helpful in this situation (at least 2) and why?
Brenda, age 22, comes to see you because of problems in living at home with her family. She tells you that she feels dependent both financially and emotionally on her parents and that although she would like to move out and live with a girlfriend, she has many fears of taking this step. She also says that her religion is extremely important to her and that she feels a great deal of guilt over the conflict she has with her parents. After some discussion you find that she has never really questioned her religious values and that it appears that she has completely accepted the beliefs of her parents. Brenda says that if she followed her religion more closely, she would not be having all these difficulties with her folks. She is coming to you because she would “like to feel more like an independent adult who could feel free enough to make my own decisions.”
- Which personal characteristics of effective counselors would be most helpful in this situation (at least 2) and why?
An effective counselor should demonstrate empathy by understanding and acknowledging Brenda's feelings of dependency, guilt, and conflict. This will create a safe and non-judgmental space for Brenda to open up about her concerns.
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