1. Choose at least 5 of the characteristics of an effective counselor and explain why you chose those 5 supporting it with at least 2 scholarly references.

Ans-1 Five characteristics of an effective counselor are: Practice ethically and professionally- The power imbalance that can frequently be seen in counseling interactions requires a competent counselor to be able to understand their obligations as ethical professionals (Guilbeault, 2020). Be organized within your practice- In order to conduct a more effective counseling session and to give your clients a greater sense of well-being from your organization, competent and structured counselors will experience a stronger sense of wellness and balance within themselves. Be respectful and non-judgmental- Counselors are conscious of their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors and try not to impose them on clients Have a flexible attitude- A good counselor must have a flexible attitude and unconditional positive regard in order to ensure that their clients feel at ease and understood (Meyers, 2014). Educate yourself- If you are pursuing a degree in professional mental health counseling, you have already completed one of the most significant and necessary steps to becoming a successful counselor. I selected these five traits because they are necessary for a counsellor to establish a positive rapport with clients and make it simple for them to communicate their difficulties or issues (Meyers, 2014). Being non-judgmental means that regardless of your client's race or culture, you shouldn't avoid them or push them away (Guilbeault, 2020). It also means that after they tell you something, you shouldn't treat them any differently. A good counsellor should also be accepting, sincere, compassionate, and possess the "it" factor. You shouldn't have any trouble being a successful counsellor if you exhibit any of these traits.