• understands depression and how to lift it
• helps immediately with anxiety & trauma  problems  
• is prepared to give information and advice as needed
• will not use jargon or psychobabble
• will not tell you that counselling or psychotherapy has to be 'painful'
• will not unduly dwell on the past
• will be supportive when difficult feelings emerge
• will not encourage people to get emotional
• may assist you to develop your social skills
• will help you draw on your own resources
• will be considerate of the effects of counselling on the people close to you
• may teach you to relax deeply
• will help you think about your problems in new and more empowering ways
• uses a wide range of techniques as appropriate
• may ask you to do things between sessions
• will take as few sessions as possible
• will increase your self confidence and ensure you feel better after each session

* this list was prepared by the ethical comittee of ETSI (The European Ethical Studies Institute)