I have been working in the world of mental health since 1993 and I can tell you that the most important aspect of being a counselor is to be able to get out of your own head and into the thinking of your client/patient. You see, the worst thing that a counselor can do is to believe that they have the answers without listening to what the client is saying, what the client is NOT saying, and between the lines of what the client is saying – because these are all different levels of communication.
Second, to never believe that you as the counselor could ever really understand how your patient is feeling or what they are thinking – it is impossible – it is the counselor’s job to respect what their client is saying and to go from there.
It is very important to treat your client with respect. They are at least 50% of the equation in healing and to believe that they haven’t a clue what they need is dehumanizing and disrespectful. That isn’t to say that they have all their answers otherwise they would not be seeing a counselor. It is to say that they can have insights and in fact, those with the insights into what will help them the most are the clients that get the best results. So, all the licenses and certifications in the world don’t mean crap if one isn’t willing to be ‘present’ with the client – it is indeed what they are paying you to do – with an open mind and pure heart.
Sadly, I have seen way too many people in the world of mental health believe that they have the answers for their patients and instead, they end up projecting their own unhealed crap onto them. I have also had hypnosis clients come in with mental health pros telling them that they were abused as younger people though they don’t remember it, only to come in to see me and find out that nothing at all happened. So leading people into negative states based on a hunch is a very terrible thing to do to a patient. If the patient doesn’t bring it up, there is no need to put this crap in their head.
Lastly, one needs to be able to hear heartbreaking stories without being emotionally terrorized (tripped up) by hearing these stories. It is about having appropriate boundaries. It is fine to empathize with the client, it is not okay to get really upset because of what they told you or worse take sides against the people they are speaking negatively about until you meet that person yourself and find out what the dynamic is. One of my clients went to see a mental health professional and brought her husband with her because she was having a tough time and realized it had to do with her – nothing to do with him, and the mental health pro sat there telling him what a horrible husband he was for whatever…My client was mortified and came to see me to clear that horror out of her mind.
It is most important to have done your best to clear yourself of your negative emotions and limiting beliefs so that you can be strong enough to not be triggered by your clients’ stories and give them horrifically bad input on how to deal with the situation – I am speaking of people who have been abused, divorced especially if it was a difficult divorce, someone who had an abortion and never healed emotionally from it, etc.
Patience is also necessary because some clients will indeed push you and others won’t be able to articulate their issues well. So patience is necessary throughout the process.
Those are just a few aspects of the work, that go above and beyond the theories, one learns in class.
Thanks again for the question, because many people believe that they would like to get into this work, and it is very humbling work if one remembers why it is that one has gotten into it in the first place – to help the clients heal.
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About Suzanne
Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders.
Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats.
She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work.
Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College.
Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.