client expectations, counselor expectations

Jun 19

Expert on yourself: You know your life, your experiences, and what works best for you. If you’re still trying to figure any of this out, that’s okay! We can explore it together
Set the goals: You decide what you want from counseling—whether that’s reducing stress, improving your relationship with yourself, building routines, or exploring who you are beyond other’s expectations.
Choose the strategies: You can try out different tools (like deep breathing, relaxation skills, or communication strategies) and decide which ones fit and which don’t. You control which strategies we try, when, and how.
Control the pace: You move at a speed that feels right to you. You can always tell me if something is too fast, too slow, or not helpful.
Share your experience: You are encouraged to let me know what counseling feels like for you, so we can make changes if something isn’t working.

Support, not fix: My role is not to “fix” you, because there is nothing wrong with you. Every brain is valid.
Provide tools and options: I bring evidence-based approaches such as humanistic counseling, CBT, and ACT, but you choose which ones to use, and there are many ways to modify strategies we can try.
Adapt counseling to you: I make space for accommodations—like camera off, chat instead of talking, breaks, or written summaries—so sessions fit your needs.
Ask for feedback: I will regularly check in to hear what is helpful and what is not. This helps us adapt counseling to your needs.
Encourage and problem-solve: If a strategy isn’t working, I’ll help you explore other options until we find what feels supportive.
Respect your autonomy: You guide the process. I walk alongside you and adjust based on your feedback.