How to Set Counseling Goals

If you are planning on seeing a new therapist or counselor for the first time, you will need to set some new goals for therapy. This can be a little challenging and requires a lot of thought. By following the steps in this article, you will be able to successfully set therapy goals, which you can work on throughout the time in which you receive counseling. Remember to keep an open mind when setting goals. Additionally, remember you have the right to change or add to your counseling goals at any time during the therapeutic process.

Instructions

• 1

  Think about why you are going to therapy. What are you issues or problems? Examples include relationship difficulties, depression, feeling anxious and grief.

• 2

  Think about what you want out of therapy. Do you want to feel less depressed? Do you want to learn how to cope with your grief? Write down what it is you want to get out of therapy.

• 3

  Take your list in with you when you see your therapist for the first time. Talk with the therapist about why you are seeking therapy and what you want to get out of the counseling sessions.

• 4

  Collaborate with the therapist on setting the goals of counseling. You and the therapist can discuss what each of your goals are for therapy. She may have some goals she would like to work on with you, with your consent, of course, after she completes her interview with you during the first session.

• 5

  If you are ever unsatisfied with your counseling goals or want to add any new goals, the goals can always be re-examined and tweaked as needed during the therapeutic process.