Different counselors approach the counseling process.

Every counselor’s super-power is their intake form. A good intake form will tell a counselor everything they need to know before they meet a client in person. If you are looking for a counselor, you would know their caliber and professionalism based on the robustness of their intake form.

Besides the intake form, you would know if they have a curriculum in place for you.

Typically, I ask a client to meet with me for at least 6 weeks. Here is an ideal 6-weeks.

Session 1

During session 1, I read through the intake form. The first session might last more than an hour if there are a lot of ground cover. During this session, the client tells me what they are seeking care for. After the data gathering stage, we then set goals for the next 5 weeks.

Session 2

If most of the data gathering and goal-setting are covered during the first session, we then proceed to assessments. This step is crucial because while I am skilled at listening for key words, objective assessments will yield to results that could raise awareness for both me and the client. It also removes the awkwardness of me telling the client…”I think you have depression.” Instead, I can show you the assessment and we can talk through the results.

The type of assessment will depend on the goals of the client, but there are core assessments that I do which includes the God-image assessment. I believe that an awareness of one’s God-image can be the most enlightening assessment a person could take.

To be clear, I am not licensed so I do not give clinical diagnosis.

Session 3

By the third session, I start the conversation on the client’s family of origin. I do this early on because developmental psychology teaches us that a person’s current mental health must be understood from the lenses of childhood experiences and family relationships.

I do assessments such as the ACE or Adverse Childhood Experience to measure a client’s mental well-being. Most of the time I ask the client to create a life map which highlights their great life experiences and bad life experiences.

Some people do not think that going through one’s childhood story is important. They fear that they would end up being angry or blaming their parents. While these are pitfalls, I assure you that there are emotional maneuvers we can take away from those temptations, like forgiveness and acceptance.

Some people are not ready to talk about their childhood due to some trauma. When I this is the case, I want to assess whether the client need some processing and coping skills.

Session 4

If all earlier sessions go well, I will move forward to psychoeducation which simply means that I will teach the client to process and cope with whatever they are struggling with. I use different techniques and intervention here depending on the experiences and the goals of the client.

Session 5 and 6

Ideally by this time, the client has a clear view of their issues and how to process these issues in such a way that it leads to growth and healing. By the end of the 6th session, we revisit the goals that we set during the first session. If the goals are met, we then plan for next steps. If we have not met those goals, we plan to meet for another 3 sessions.

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The length of care largely depends on the client. Are they self-aware or are teachable? Are they doing their homework and applying their coping skills? Are they really engaged during sessions?

It also depends on the relationship between client and client. Is trust established? Is it a good fit?

But you would not know until you try!