Helping You Get the Most Out of Your Sessions.
Getting Set Up for Success
Reaching out for help can be tough. Lots of clients visit a counselor’s page many times before they actually reach out for a consultation or to schedule a first appointment. This relationship is important and you are trusting someone with your innermost thoughts, hopes, and emotions. My hope is that you will find a counselor that is a good fit for you (maybe that’s me!) and that you will find your counseling journey empowering.
When we first start working together, we will get to know each other and set some goals about how you want to feel and what you hope for in life. Some clients are surprised and feel a lot of pressure when I first talk about goals. It can be helpful to think of this as an action plan. Your plan can be as simple or ambitious as you want. It doesn’t have to be focused on sweeping change. In fact, counseling research shows that most people do better when they take baby steps towards what they want, and that counseling is more effective when people have a plan. In our first sessions, we will review the guidelines for counseling relationships, identify what you hope to get out of counseling, explore what you are already doing to make it through tough days, and try out different calming skills to find what works for you. Clients tell me my approach is welcoming, warm, and playful. Using proven tools and approaches to help you process emotions, claim your values, and explore your unique gifts, we'll help you feel more authentic. In this blog post, we will explore why goal setting is helpful for clients to feel better when they seek counseling to help them break generational cycles and be more of themselves.
The Importance of Action Plans for Counseling
I think of creating an action plan or setting goals as setting an intention and direction for our work together. When people have specific goals in mind, they are more motivated to engage actively in the therapeutic process, knowing that each session brings them closer to feeling better.
Action planning also helps break down overwhelming challenges into manageable steps. By identifying and prioritizing key areas for growth, you can focus your energy and resources, reducing the feelings of being stuck or overwhelmed.
Additionally, creating a plan or setting intentions promotes collaboration between us. I see us as partners in supporting your growth. The goal setting process helps us build a shared vision, communicate clearly, and makes sure that therapy fits your values and needs. Together, the action plan we create will map out strategies, interventions, and milestones to guide your therapeutic journey. Along the way, we will sometimes review your plan and make adjustments, if needed, or celebrate your progress so far.
Examples
It can be helpful to think of goals before your first session, but it isn’t required. I can help you distill your thoughts in your first session or two. Many clients tell me that they find having a plan empowering. For others, it’s a relief knowing that there is something they can do to take control.
Here are some examples for trauma treatment plans to help get you started:
Increase Emotional Regulation: Develop coping skills to identify and manage overwhelming emotions, such as anxiety, anger, and fear, so I can feel more healthy and adaptive ways.
Process Traumatic Reactions: Gently process traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment, reducing the intensity of my responses and learning ways to manage trauma triggers so I feel more in control of my life.
Rebuild Trust and Relationships: Explore relationship patterns in my life and identify what trust and healthy relationships look like to me.
Enhance Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Work on building self-confidence, self-compassion, and a positive self-image, helping me reclaim my sense of who I am.
Here are some sample parenting goals:
Establish Consistent Boundaries: Set clear, consistent, and age-appropriate boundaries to provide structure, guidance, and a sense of security for children.
Enhance Parent-Child Bond: Strengthen emotional connection and attachment with children through quality time, shared activities, and nurturing interactions.
Manage Stress and Self-Care: Develop effective stress management techniques and prioritize self-care to foster resilience, emotional well-being, and model healthy coping mechanisms for children.
Conclusion
I hope that you will find creating an action plan a reassuring, empowering, and motivating part of your journey in counseling. By setting specific goals, clients can enhance motivation, focus, and collaboration with their counselor. Your goals can focus on anything you want from building calming and communication skills, to building an understanding of how you were affected by painful experiences. By clarifying your action plan, you set your healing intentions, as well as lay the foundation for meaningful change, motivation, and self-awareness. Remember, your goals are the steppingstones that will guide you towards a brighter and more fulfilling future.