Qualities of Effective Human Service Workers

1. Qualities of Effective Human Service Workers

2. Empathy • The ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes • The tendency to understand things from another person’s point of view • To “empathize” with someone is to identify with and understand their situation, feelings, and motives

3. Unconditional Positive Regard • Counselor accepts the client unconditionally and non-judgmentally • The client is free to explore all thoughts and feelings, positive or negative, without danger of rejection or condemnation • Unconditional positive regard is a term used by the Humanist school of psychology. Humanist psychologists believe that by showing the client unconditional positive regard and acceptance, the therapist is providing the best possible conditions for personal growth to the client.

4. Good Psychological Health • Human Service Workers must be in a “good mental place” within themselves. • They must be free from clinical depression or other mental health problems so they can truly dedicate themselves to the client’s mental well-being

5. Awareness of Role of Culture in Life of Clients • HSWs must understand various aspects of different cultures • A client’s culture affects many aspects of their lives • For example: National Association of Social Workers www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/NASWCulturalStandards.pdf

6. Ability to analyze and understand one's own feelings • Basically “critical thinking” about one’s own self • A form of judgment, specifically purposeful and reflective judgment.

7. Ethical Behavior • HSWs must strive to do the “right” and “good” thing • A “Code of Ethics” exists for HSWs, including: • Confidentiality of the client • Except in cases by which the client could be harmed, such as suicide or child abuse • Avoidance of conflicts of interest • Access to records • Sexual relationships • Physical contact • Others