Many factors go into being a competent counselor. These factors include basic counseling skills, counseling model framework, professional code of ethics, and professional disposition. Each of these factors has a purpose in being a piece of the puzzle that makes a competent counselor.

Developing counseling skills are the most focused on in becoming a competent counselor. Some counseling skills include empathy, active listening, and creating a therapeutic process through open-ended questions. Professional conferences and training are ways a counselor can stay current with the profession and gain new skills.

A second factor is the counselor's therapeutic methods are based on an evidence-based counseling model. Evidence-based counseling model gives the counselor a framework to conceptualize the model's belief of dysfunction and health with techniques to move the client toward health. In addition, evidence-based models have research evidence that the model has shown effective treatment with specific client populations and issues.

The third factor is the professional code of ethics. ACA Code of Ethics provides professional boundaries and identity for counselors to be aware of their roles and limitations with clients. It gives the ethical standard for a counselor as they work through ethical situations.

Lastly, the professional disposition focuses on how counselors will be present with the clients and not allow limitations, distractions, or bias to create a disconnect between the counselor and the client. The professional dispositions include ten items: acceptance, amiability, cultural diversity, empathy, flexibility, genuineness, patience, professionalism, psychological fitness, and self-awareness.

Overall, many factors go into developing as a counselor and becoming a competent professional. Pre- and post-licensure counselors need to do check-ins/self-reflections with themselves periodically. They need to reassess if there are areas that need to be addressed through self-reflection, training, or supervision. Counselors must continue to sharpen their skills, stay up to date with their professional code of ethics, and be aware of their limitations and red flags that may put the client and/or the therapeutic relationship at risk.

Identify a recent positive situation in your life where you demonstrated three professional dispositions in that situation. Explain how you showed these professional dispositions.

Secondly, talk about a recent situation where incorporating a professional disposition would have improved the outcome.