I feel very blessed that within my practice I have the flexibility of how I hold my sessions. With my focus on youth who have signs of anxiety and/or depression, I get to use creativity as a Counsellor Therapist in a variety of ways.
The First Session
Granted, the first session is very structured as there are documents I need to go over with the parents and the client (the youth). It usually takes about 45 minutes and it can seem boring for the youth. During this session, I observe the relationship between the parent(s) and the client. I watch the body language, the tone of voice, and the choice of words between the client and parent(s). You can learn a lot by just observing the interaction. Do I share what I see? No! I file this information in my database and sometimes use it as a good starting point to ask questions during the session.
Building Trust
Before I can dive into any issues with a client, I need to build trust. Building trust is a foundation for the client to open up and share. It is interesting how much youth don’t share with their parent(s). Today’s youth do not want to worry their parent(s). When I ask my clients if they have shared things they tell me with their parent(s), they generally say no. When asked why, the reply is always either, “they do not understand me,” or “they are busy and I don’t want to bother them.”
Providing a safe place for the client to share how they are feeling, what is going on, and how they would like to change things, is a critical part of my counselling. Without this trust, the client will not open up and we will not resolve the issue or build coping strategies to assist in the situation.
The Travelling Counsellor
I am not your typical counsellor who sits in an office with the client. Yes, I do have an office if a client would like to meet there, but I like to classify myself as a travelling counsellor. I find that youth are more open within an environment they feel comfortable in. By going to the client’s home, I get an idea of what their home life is like and what they enjoy doing.
I have clients who like crafts, painting, music, sports, or being close to nature. My beliefs about the sessions I have with clients is finding a balance of combining expressive therapy, eco-therapy, and talk therapy. Each session is different when working with youth, which means that each day is unique and no two days will be the same.
I believe movement is key in moving the energy that the client might be hanging on to.
Most of my sessions start off with an eco-therapy session. I like to use nature to assist with beginning the conversation. It is easier for clients to talk about what is outside of themselves than about themselves. Everywhere you go, you will find some form of nature. It’s amazing how the clients open up when there is no judgment. I use this method to build trust, and it’s great for talking about relationships and connections. One of my favourite activities is when a client needs to move anger. I like to take the client to a body of water where they can throw rocks. Before throwing a rock, they need to say something that upsets them, and when they are ready, throw the rock to represent letting it go.
I am always fascinated by how clients begin to talk freely when we are doing something they enjoy. Some of my clients are crafty, which means that we venture into beading or painting. After the client completes their craft/painting, we discuss colours and what the colours represent. During the process of creation, we are having a conversation and end it with a goal.
Using sports as an avenue for beginning a conversation is an excellent way to connect with many of my clients. Like in the paragraph above, I find that introducing a drill in sports can assist with talking openly. By having a common platform, the clients quickly connect and build trust.
Counselling does not have to be in an office. You, as a counsellor, can create a safe, trusting, and comfortable environment wherever you are so long as your focus is on your client.
Is it time for you to get creative? What’s stopping you?
Check out a video of our Counselling Therapist Program.
