Guidelines for the first session

  • Confidentiality
  • No advice
  • Interest and relaxed concern
  • Eye contact available, but don't require it of client
  • Client decides what he/she is going to work on, but tell life story if nothing else pressing - repeat life story from beginning if get to the present quickly
  • Start with News & Goods (what has gone well in the client's last week or two)
  • End with attention out (for example, describe something in the room or outside, ask client to remember something specific that is likely to be pleasant, ask client what they are looking forward to)
  • Counselor and client can notice where discharge starts & direct client's attention back to that place when discharge stops
  • Split time evenly even if it feels like one needs more time
  • No socializing includes no coffee, tea at half-time
  • Appreciation/validation
  • Discharge (see Fundamentals Manual, page 7)

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: DON'T WORRY!


Last modified: 2022-12-25 10:17:04+00