THE COUNSELING PROCESS

Introduction
Counseling is a process whereby there is interaction between the counselee and the
counselor. In most cases, the counselee meets with the counselor more than once. Each
session lasts approximately one hour. Over these sessions, the counseling will go through
several stages from the beginning to the end. In this topic, we will look at the process of
counseling. We will look at the four phases/stages of counseling that are typical. Note that
clients are different and bring different issues to counseling therefore there will be variations
to the process we are going to look at.

The Four Basic Phases/stages of Counseling

1. Intake (stage 1)
During intake, background information about the client is obtained. This can be done using
an intake form the client fills or an intake interview with the counselor. The information
obtained will enable the counselor make an initial impression of the client. Information
obtained in the intake form/interview includes:
√ The client’s contact information and the contacts of a person who may be reached
should the client become unreachable
√ Basic demographic information such as age, gender, level of education, occupation,
residence, address, email address etc.
√ A general overview of why the client is seeking counseling at this time i.e. the
presenting problems.
√ A description of the history of the presenting problem e.g. for how long the client has
had the problem and what he has done about it
√ Family background of the client
√ Any history of abuse
√ The client’s medical history

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

1
Some clients present themselves for counseling while others are referred. If the client was
referred, the counselor after welcoming the client states why the client was referred e.g.
“your teacher sent a note to me that we should discuss about your poor performance in
Mathematics.” If the client sought counseling, the counselor gives the client the opportunity
to share the reason why he came to seek counseling.

2. The Initial Interview (stage 2)

The initial interview is the beginning of the counseling process and it comes immediately
after the intake interview. The initial interview is important because;
√ It helps the counselor get to know the client better, and make appropriate plans for
how the counseling process will proceed. The counselor may take up the client for
counseling or refer the client if that is the more appropriate option
√ You make a personal connection with the client by among other things welcoming her,
showing personal warmth, communicating acceptance through open body language
etc.
√ If the client was in a crisis, she will get some reassurance that help will be available
through the counselor
√ The counselor gets the opportunity to explain to the client the nature and goals of
counseling
√ The counselor and client can make arrangements for counseling
√ The initial interview will help the client and the counselor to begin the process of
knowing, understanding and accepting one another and begin the process of forming
the therapeutic relationship that is so important in counseling
√ It is also during the first session that the client gives informed consent. The client can
only agree to proceed with the counseling process when you have explained her rights
and responsibilities in the counseling relationship.
√ You define the process of counseling to the client keeping in mind that most clients
may have no idea what counseling is all about
√ You create a climate of change i.e. you should inspire hope in the client that by working
together as a team, she will be able to make a positive change in her life

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

2
 √ You establish the structure in which the counseling will take place. This includes
agreeing on the number of times you will meet, the days and time of meeting, the
duration of each session among other important details

The client must not feel interrogated and should readily share his personal
information. The counselor assures the client of confidentiality. The counselor should exhibit
the qualities of a good counselor such as active listening, respect, warmth, empathy etc. and
accepting the client as he is.

Several important activities should take place during the initial interview;
a) Statement of the problem in clear terms
Clients often come to counseling without a clear idea of what their problems are and many
are emotional or confused. Some are forced to come to counseling and therefore may not
recognize that they have a problem. The counselor will listen to the client, help the client sort
through the issues and help the client pinpoint and clarify what the real important issues to
be dealt with are.

b) Clarification of expectations
The counselor should find out what the client expects from counseling. Some clients expect
to be given immediate solutions even for problems they have had for a long time. The
counselor will discuss these expectations with the client and correct unreasonable
expectations. Clients will not benefit from counseling if they have unreasonable expectations.

c) Setting of Goals
We have the general goals of counseling such as reducing emotional distress, reducing
dysfunctional behavior and developing clients’ potentials. After outlining the client’s
problems and expectations, specific counseling goals are set. The goals are stated in terms of
specific emotional and behavioral changes. If necessary, goals can be broken down into sub
goals

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

3
Goals should be are specific, clearly defined, reasonable, and attainable. Setting very Specific
goals allows an objective evaluation of the progress of counseling. The counselor and client
can see the goals that have been achieved and feel satisfied that progress is being made. Goals
should be achievable because goals that are too ambitious may lead to frustrations. Goals
should be written.

Counseling Goals
Broadly speaking goal of counseling is to help individuals overcome their
immediate problems and also equip them to successfully face future challenges.
Each client is unique and has his or her problems that they need help solving.
Therefore, each and every client will have their own goals. Nevertheless, it is
possible to describe several overarching goals of counseling that are generally
applicable to a cross section of clients. These goals include:

i. Developmental Goals: Developmental goals are those where the client is

helped to meet their developmental tasks or expectations whether in the
social, personal, emotional, cognitive spheres. For example, an adolescent
grappling with the challenges of adolescence can be helped to adjust to the
demands of adolescence and minimize the turmoil that is common during
adolescence.
ii. Preventive Goals: In this the counselor helps the client to avoid some
undesired outcome. For example, when counseling adolescents who are
experiencing peer pressure to engage in risky behavior, counselors can
arm adolescents with skills to successfully resist peer influence and desist
from risky behavior.
iii. Enhancement Goals: In case the client possesses certain special abilities
or skills, it can either be identified or further developed through the
assistance of a counselor. Encouraging adolescents to develop their
abilities contributes positively to their self-esteem and makes them feel
capable
iv. Remedial Goals: Remediation involves helping a client to overcome or
deal with an undesirable development of his or her life. An example is where
a teenager has developed a gambling habit that is detrimental to his
studies and social life. The counselor will help this client to overcome the
gambling habit.
v. Exploratory Goals: Here the counselor helps the client to examine
different options, assess skills and try new and different activities. This is
important when a client is exploring healthier alternatives to a behavior
PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process
4
 that he or she needs to change. For example, a school girl who goes to the
club and drinks during the weekend to have fun will be helped to consider
alternative recreational activities that don’t pose danger to her.
vi. Cognitive Goals: Here the counselor helps the client to restructure her
thinking and get rid of irrational beliefs and ideas that could be at the root
of her problems. For instance, a student feels worthless and depressed
because some students refuse to let her join their clique. The student is
helped to understand that her self-worth does not depend on acceptance
by anyone else and that she has her own strengths which she should
develop rather than seek acceptance by individuals who don’t matter at
the end of the day. This realization will make her feel better.
vii. Physiology Goals: Physiological goals ensure acquiring the basic
understanding and lifestyle habits for good physical health. Students are
encouraged to live healthy lifestyles and desist from behaviors that can
adversely affect their physical wellbeing such as using drugs and alcohol.
viii. Psychological Goals: It represents developing good social interaction
skills, learning emotional control, developing positive self-concept and
other skills that help the individual to adjust to day-to-day life.

d) Establishing a Contract
It is recommended to sign a contract with the client stating the counselor’s roles to accept
understand and help the client and the client’s duty to cooperate through self-revelation,
truthfulness, and adherence to the counselor’s suggestions

e) Discussing the Practical Details of Counseling, and Making the Practical

Arrangements
The last step during the initial interview is to discuss practical details about counseling, and
to make the necessary arrangements for counseling such as duration and timing of
counseling, the number and frequency of sessions, payment schedule etc.

The intake and the initial interview can be concluded over a single session of about one hour
in duration but may be continued in the next session. It is also possible to do an intake
interview and then schedule the initial interview for a different time. Sometimes clients are
very distressed when they come to see the counselor therefore the counselor should offer

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

5
support, encouragement and guidance to alleviate the clients’ distress before commencing
the intake and initial interviews

This early phase of counseling is important because it sets the foundation for the
counseling process to begin on a good note and for a good relationship to develop between
the counselor and client. The counselor is meeting the client for the first time and has an
opportunity to establish rapport which is very important for successful counseling to take
place. The counselor and client get to know each other. The counselor should make sure that
the client is relaxed so that he can open up and share with ease.

3. Working Phase (stage 3)

The working phase is where much of the counseling takes place. This phase accounts for
most of the counseling sessions. This phase could span several sessions. The counselor can
estimate the number of counseling sessions that may be required to help the client resolve
his problems. The number of counseling sessions required depends on the complexity of the
problem that the counselee is facing. More complex issues may require more sessions. The
number of sessions is not cast in stone. It may be necessary to add an extra session or more
if need be or the counseling may be completed earlier.

The counseling relationship that was established in the previous phase intensifies as
the client becomes more trusting and open to the counselor. The counselor on her part
portrays a nonjudgmental attitude towards the client. The duo will work through the
problem the client is facing that needs resolution.

In the sessions immediately after the initial interview, the counselor will develop a
better understanding of the client and the client’s problems as she continues to assess the
client and the client shares more information. Some of the things the counselor wants a
better understanding of include: the client’s main problem and its effects on the client and
people around her; other issues that arise because of the main problem; factors that

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

6
encourage, worsen or lessen the problem; how the client understands the problem and any
efforts by the client to tackle the problem.

The counselor continues providing support, guidance and other elements of

counseling as the situation demands. The counselor and the client work together towards
getting solutions to the client’s problems by achieving the counseling goals set at the initial
interview. When working towards behavior change, the following need to be considered;
√ What emotional factors have to be addressed to resolve the dysfunctional behavior?
√ What are the faulty ways of thinking that the client manifests that need to be corrected
for a resolution of the dysfunctional behavior?
√ What are the social and environmental factors that have to be addressed to resolve
the dysfunctional behavior?

The counselor will put to good use the various counseling techniques and skills (we
will look at these in a future topic) in order to help the client work through his problem.
By applying counseling techniques and skills, the following gains should be made;
Resolution of the emotional crisis
Change of the problem behaviors
Improved self-confidence and self-esteem
Improved self-control and frustration tolerance
Improved reality orientation and appraisal of threats
Improved communication and problem-solving skills

The client should be able to gain better insight into his problem, consider alternative
course of actions he can take and take positive actions to solve his problems. Sometimes,
clients are given homework to do outside the counseling sessions which contribute to the
resolution of the problem. For example, a client with anger management problem can be
taught how to count to 10 before responding to provocation and then he is told to practice it
in between sessions.

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

7
4. Termination Phase (stage 4)
The counseling process is not indefinite – it has to come to an end at some point but it
should end properly. Counseling should not be abruptly terminated. The client should not
be caught off guard by termination. Termination marks the end of the counseling
relationship between the client and the counselor.

Termination takes place:

i. When the goals of counseling have been reached i.e. the client has found a resolution
to his problems
ii. If the counselor has found it necessary to refer the client to another counselor or to a
different mental health provider/expert/specialist
iii. If it becomes clear that there is no longer progress being made e.g. if the client is no
longer cooperative
iv. If the client feels that he no longer needs counseling
v. There are unforeseen circumstances e.g. and emergency

Whatever the case, the counselor should carry out termination in a way that the client
does not feel abandoned. Termination should be a gradual process with several stages;

(1) Evaluate readiness for termination: the counselor considers whether the goals of
counseling have been achieved in which case it is good to terminate

(2) Notify client that counseling will end: The counselor should notify the client at the
beginning of counseling that at some point counseling will end. As the counseling
continues and the goals are being achieved, the counselor mentions that termination
is nearing to prepare the client. As the client is made aware that termination is
nearing, she may raise important issues that may not have been addressed.

(3) Discuss readiness for termination: the counselor should get the client’s opinion on
whether he feels like the goals have been achieved and is prepared to carry on with

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

8
 his life. Among other things, they discuss the client’s understanding of what has taken
place during counseling, his doubts and fears, and his confidence to handle future
situations on his own. The counselor should be flexible to extend counseling in order
to address issues that had not yet been addressed but must be careful to avoid
dependency by the client.

(4) Review the course of counseling: This is an overview of the whole process of therapy
that has taken place starting with the problems the client had brought o counseling,
the goals, techniques that were used, assignments the client was given, insights that
were made, any challenges that arose and any other pertinent issues. This gives an
overall picture of the whole process and the client can visualize all the progress made

(5) Emphasize the client’s role in effecting change: the counselor should commend the
client for the effort he has put and the progress he has made. The counselor should
then emphasize the client’s ability to handle future challenges independently using
insights acquired in counseling to give the client confidence that he can survive after
termination

(6) Give instructions for maintenance of adaptive functioning: Clients should be made
aware of the possibility of relapsing and be adequately equipped to handle situations
that may cause them to revert to their problematic behaviors

(7) Discuss follow-up sessions: The counselor should make it clear that he will continue
to be available should the client face any problems. The end of counseling does not
mean the counselor is no longer available should the client is face some difficulty. This
reassurance makes termination easier for the client. The client is made to understand
that he should not feel guilty for needing the counselor’s help after counseling is over.
In some cases, follow up sessions at some future time may be scheduled.

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

9
Not all clients will require a follow up by the counselor. The counselor can initiate a follow
up if she wants to know whether the counselee has been able to effectively adjust to his
problems or not. During termination, the counselor will have arranged for follow up with the
client. The counselor is able to determine whether the changes made in counseling are
maintained or not and whether the client has been able to solve his problem or not.

PSY 1204-1 2025 The Counseling Process

10