For a successful counseling procedure, the counselor must possess certain qualities, including interpersonal skills that work effectively, little or no confrontation, adaptability, no discomfort in discussing most topics, self-awareness, comprehension, sound mental health, sensitivity, a non-judgmental attitude, objectivity, reliability, competence, honesty, and empathy towards clients.

The counselor and client's personal relationship is extremely important in the counseling process. Both the client and the counselor should be actively involved in the relationship, however, the client should be the focus of it, not the counselor. Some boundaries should be decided on in the relationship as well. Important factors in the client-counselor relationship are a strong bond, collaboration, pre-determined goals and objectives, a competence on the part of the counselor in determining the client's ideas and meanings, multicultural empathy on the part of the counselor in understanding the client's world-view, noticing what the client values, and empathy.

The counselor needs to also be genuine, not acting in a way different from internal feelings. Within the professional relationship, the counselor needs to be able to continually share what is occurring, stay focused, and stay accountable to goals.

Other qualities for the counselor are warmth (acting humanely, accepting the client, and keeping the treatment friendly), congruence, positive regard and respect (respectful attitude, acting in a committed manner towards the client, demonstrating empathy, behaving warmly), and overall making sure that the client views the counselor as warm and friendly.