How to Get the Most Out of Counseling: Following the Session

Today we are back for a third and final time (at least for now) to discuss how to get the most out of counseling. In the first two parts we discussed things you can do before and during sessions, and today the focus is on things you can do following sessions, or throughout the counseling process........Read more below

1. Implement the actions and tools that you discuss in counseling.

This may seem simple or obvious, but in reality it often happens that someone has the best of intentions in following through and still doesn’t do it. Just talking about ideas for creating more positive mental health is not the same as taking action.

Get more out of counseling by doing work between sessions.

Part of taking action is testing tools. For instance, I specialize in anxiety and there are soooo many tools for anxiety. I always recommend that my clients try various tools to test them out and see what works for them. You never know what is going to work best until you try it.

2. Stay in communication with your counselor about your counseling experience.

It is so helpful to both your counselor and yourself to communicate regularly with your counselor about how you feel the process is going. You can let them know if something isn’t working for you or if you would like to place the attention of the sessions elsewhere.

Counselors want to know how counseling is going for you.

This feedback is particularly important if you have been in counseling for awhile--for instance, perhaps the issue you came to counseling for is no longer as significant to you and there are new issues that you would like to discuss. On the flip side, please let your counselor know what is really working for you in counseling too, so that these things can continue to be included in future sessions.

3. Stick with the process.

Speaking of my experience as a counselor, although some of my clients make big leaps in their first few sessions, I definitely see the most change with people who work with me longer. Working on mental health is like working on physical health, you can’t change your diet or exercise for a few days and see huge, long-term results.

Improving your mental health takes consistent action over time.

I love seeing people who have been purposeful about their mental health go from, for instance, presenting with significant anxiety in our first few sessions to being visibly more calm and having a happier life. This is the goal of counselors--to provide support that leads to long-term growth and change that creates a major positive impact in the lives of their clients.

**Do you think I could be your “right fit” counselor? Be sure to set up a free 20-minute phone consultation at 281-746-9826 or kristen@upliftingcounsel.com. I provide counseling to clients in Texas and Oregon and would love to talk with you about the possibility of working together