The characteristics of an effective counsellor are:

1. Authenticity: Authenticity means that the behavioural expressions of a person are in consonance with what they value and the way they feel and related to their self-image. A greater degree of authenticity means a larger awareness of self. A client feels easier to communicate with a person with a high degree of authenticity.
2. Positive regard for others: A positive approach to the client helps the counsellor to win the trust of the client. When the client and the counsellor are on the same wavelength; it eliminates the 'I' messages, there is freedom to express and counsellor does not label themselves/himself or the client.
3. Empathy: This is the core quality of a Counsellor. Empathy is the ability of a counsellor to understand the feelings of another person from her/his viewpoint. It is the ability to feel the pain and troubles of the other person.