The purpose of this paper is to write about the essential characteristics and skills of mental health human services workers. When discussing the fundamental characteristics of a human services worker, Team B felt that communication skills are vital. Without rapport and connection with the client, other skills cannot be effective. Of course, the most fundamental ingredients for a human services worker are a compassionate, patient, caring heart and a desire to see each individual achieve a personal best in all areas of life. “Without vibrant meaning, purpose, and direction, our life can never flower” (Doherty, 2009).

Everyday life presents different mental, emotional, and social challenges and rewards for the client that must be …show more content…

• Unwillingness to take one’s inventory to know what areas need to be improved upon.
• Arrogance: No matter how long in the field, a human services worker does not know everything; every situation is different. Human services workers must not take themselves too seriously.
• Greed. Entering the human services business only for the money means one is in the wrong occupation. Human service workers give, not take; salaries are not proportionate to the tasks involved. The reward is in the client’s empowerment.
• One is not suited for the particular position. An advocate may not be suited to be a mediator. A human services worker must find the area of service for which one is matched.
Skills that a human services worker needs to have developed before embarking on this career include:
• As mentioned above, communications skills are of the essence.
• Critical thinking skills--human services workers must be prepared to handle instant, emergency and urgent situations.
• Conflict resolution skills--Life is full of conflict and the human services worker must be able to bring some sort of acceptable answer for the client.
• Creative thinking--In this day of diminishing budgets, human services workers must be inventive in procuring services for clients, as well as finding innovative, productive ways for the client to express creativity and skills.
• Leadership skills with compassion and understanding are essential for