Identifying Goals and Expectations in Counseling
Introduction
The setting of goals and expectations is an essential stage of the therapeutic process. This stage will not only clarify the aspirations of the client within therapy, but it also sets a cooperative framework, which is taken as a guide to consider the direction and focus of treatment.
1. Why Identify Goals?
- Direction and Focus: Well-defined goals provide direction on the therapy journey as both the therapist and the client are on the same page.
- Measurable Outcomes: Goals are set so that there is a way to track your progress. Progress enables the client and the therapist to see what has been accomplished and adjust, if necessary.
- Client Empowerment: Goal-setting on behalf of the client can give a sense of control and ownership over the process of therapy
2. Types of Goals
- Short-Term Goals: Short-term goals should be accomplished within a few sessions. They energize and give confidence. Examples include:
- Planning a strategy to reduce anxiety that is expected before an event.
- Improving a specific interpersonal communication skill.
- Long-term Goals: These are the larger, general outcome measures that could take longer to achieve. Examples include:
- Reducing more general symptoms of depression or anxiety.
- An improved relationship or higher self-esteem.
End - Participation in the Process: Involves the client in the process of determining goals. Ask them open-ended questions to help them start articulating their thoughts and dreams:
- “What would you like to see change for you because of therapy?”
- “What would help you know that you are being helped through therapy?”
- Values Exploration: Explore the client’s values and how they relate to these objectives. Knowing what is meaningful to them will give you some direction in the development of objectives.
4. SMART Goals Framework
Assist your clients in developing objectives according to the SMART criteria:
- Specific: The objective needs to be clearly defined; otherwise, it will not give any direction.
- Measurable: There needs to be measurable criteria for measuring one’s progress.
- Achievable: Objectives must be realistically achievable.
- Relevant: Ensure that objectives are relevant to the client and that they align with client’s values.
- Time-Bound: Give a specific time frame to complete an objective so that someone remains accountable.
5. **Managing Expectations
Explain what, as a client, they expect from the therapy, including desired outcome and what concerns they have.
Manage expectation by letting clients know what to expect in therapy like that change is not abrupt and setbacks occur.
Therapeutic relationship with mutual responsibility, cooperation, and communication in pursuing a common goal.
6. Encouraging Self-Reflection
- Reflection on Progress: Engage the co-client to reflect on his or her goals at fixed intervals and the progress he or she is making towards achieving them. This can be offered by reflection in journals or sessions.
- Reviewing Goals: Schedule a later session or sessions to review and possibly even change goals based on emerging needs and experiences.
7. **Recording Goals
- Paper/Recording: Record the stated goals and provide them to the customer. This keeps one’s aims in perspective, as well as being a reference for future sessions.
- Monitoring Progress: Establish a way of keeping track of when these aims are made to occur, perhaps with scales or particular points.
8. **Conclusion of the Goal-Setting Process
Review and Contract: Summary of the goals that were set for the session and agreement between the therapist and client that the focus is where the two are in consensus.
Hope: It positively reinforces the commitment of the client to the goals set and gives hope that they indeed can work towards and attain them.
The presence of goals and expectations is a crucial part of any effective therapy. They begin to work strenuously with measurable objectives defined through collaborative work between therapist and client, thus facilitating a proactive process in healing for clients. This process not only motivates the clients but also provides an organized method for them to measure their progress, adjusting accordingly.