Effective psychotherapy and counselling checklist

It is a good idea to use the following checklist to protect yourself, or

An effective psychotherapist or counsellor

knows how to build rapport quickly with distressed people
understands depression and how to lift it
helps immediately with anxiety problems including trauma or fear related symptoms
is prepared to give advice if needed or asked for
will not use jargon or 'psychobabble' or tell you that counselling or psychotherapy has to be 'painful'
will not dwell unduly on the past
will be supportive when difficult feelings emerge, but will not encourage people to get emotional beyond the normal need to 'let go' of any bottled up feelings

may assist you to develop your social skills so that your needs for affection, friendship, pleasure, intimacy, connection to the wider community etc. can be better fulfilled
will help you to draw and build on your own resources (which may prove greater than you thought)
will be considerate of the effects of counselling on the people close to you
may teach you to relax deeply
may help you think about your problems in new and more empowering ways
uses a wide range of techniques as appropriate
may ask you to do things between sessions
will take as few sessions as possible
will increase your self confidence and independence and make sure you feel better after every consultation.

Checklist from the Human Givens Institute