Counseling is a two way street and is a co-operative effort between the one being counseled and the counselor. Making difficult changes in thinking patterns and behavior requires commitment from both parties.

Setting up the goals early and clearly defining ways to measure the improvement are essential if one is to get the most out of counseling. Establishing a good rapport with the counselor, gaining mutual trust and having confidence in your counselor makes it easy for you to be completely honest and open about your feelings and thoughts. If the above are missing even after a few sessions, it is best advised to seek a new counselor with whom you feel more comfortable.

Client-Counselor relationship is the most important factor determining the end results of counseling. So how do you know if your counseling is effective?

Although you are responsible for making behavioral changes, a good counselor will help you identify the obstacles, causes and underlying reasons that are contributing to your anxiety, depression, anger or any other negative thinking patterns. Over time you should be able to observe changes in how you react to situations and changes in your thinking patterns. If these positive influences seem elusive you must discuss it with your counselor, who’ll advise you on how to recognize the roadblocks impeding your progress and how to address them.

Effective counseling is a collaborative effort and the more you are comfortable with each other, more are the chances of you getting all the positives out of it.