Research Your Needs
Select one area of growth you have identified for yourself. This can be growth in counseling skills of any
kind—empathy, probes, listening skills, connecting with client, goal setting, challenging, utilizing silence,
etc. Once you select an area, find three related research articles (dated within the last 10 years) and
synthesize the information from these articles. Specifically, examine ways the literature can directly
inform an action plan to work on this area of growth. Create an action plan to support your growth as a
professional counselor.
Area of Growth: Ending session on time/time management/time for Client to contain before leaving
session: phrases, jesters, standing up
Article 1: (give complete bibliographical information, APA format):
GANS, J. S. (2016). “Our Time is Up”: A Relational Perspective on the Ending of a Single Psychotherapy
Session. American Journal of Psychotherapy (Association for the Advancement of Psychotherapy), 70(4), 413–
427. https://doi-org.ezproxy.loyno.edu/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2016.70.4.413
Synthesize and any action from this article:
Article 1:
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“Too distinctive to be understood by any one theoretical orientation, these clinical
challenges call on the therapist to be variously creative, authentic, empathic, firm, nonjudgmental, and introspective, all in the service of avoiding shaming the patient and
providing optimal responsiveness.”
Redirecting important topics to the next session
Acknowledge what was heard, empathize with how hard it is to end time together
Article 2:
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Holding time management in session is a boundary issue. Either with the client or with the
therapist or if there is a crisis situation.
Fang noted seven different areas to aid in this. Have a clock visible, verbal warning, shift
direction, pull out your schedule for next session, nonverbal cues, and validate and redirect
“door knob” comments
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Article 2: (give complete bibliographical information, APA format):
11, M. F. M. (2020, December 29). How to end therapy sessions on time. Private Practice Skills.
https://privatepracticeskills.com/end-therapy-sessions-on-time/.
Synthesize and any action from this article
Article 3:
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Dr. Remigio reframes the view of ending session to be seen as a part of the therapeutic
process in 6 different ways. “For instance, the way in which you end a session could
demonstrate healthy boundaries and time-management skills, model compassionate
and effective communication skills, or even possibly provide a corrective experience for
the client”
Orient and collaborate with the client. Would they prefer a warning of how much time is
left? Would they like a hand gesture or a timer? Collaborate with clients to aid them in
learning time management and health boundaries.
Reflect and summarize. What are some takeaways from our time together? “Reflect the
important message in the client’s last statement, tie that back into the overall theme(s)
of the session or relevant takeaways, and then translate that into a practical action step
or question to ponder for the week.”
Verbal/nonverbal communication: closing pen, notebook, stating something related to
homework
Be flexible, and end session in a way that is authentic and natural to you. (If you are not a
“mediation” type, don’t force something.
Practice and try, try again. Be mindful of the way session ends. It can be done with little
thought, authenticity, or attunement, be mindful to change that using techniques.
Article 3: (give complete bibliographical information, APA format):
Remigio, R. (2017, September 27). How to gracefully end a therapy session on time. Time2Track Blog.
https://blog.time2track.com/how-to-gracefully-end-a-therapy-session-on-time/.
Synthesize and any action from this article
Action Plan:
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Utilize a clock for Counselor to see in a position that can be easily spotted.
Warn Client, “In the last 2 or 5 minutes let us do ___”
Inquire of Client in that warning about need to contain or Client ability to hold what has
been worked on.
Utilize nonverbal cues
Track ability to end session w/in time limit. This may been outlining goals for session
(check in lasts ___ min, etc)
Collaborate w/ Client. What best helps prepare you to leave from our time together?
Processing: Research Your Needs
How did you go about researching ideas related to your area of focus?
I researched on a few different sites looking for counselor growth related to time management around
ending sessions.
What is the most important or interesting finding you came across regarding your area of growth?
I think I had never thought about the collaboration aspect with time management. Or viewing it as a part
of the clients treatment plan.
Where have you experienced the usefulness of research this week?
I have not tried using my research this week for any clients.
How did the articles support your movement towards growth in your identified area?
It verified that this isn’t just a problem that is mine and that it is something professionals note they need
to grow and work in.
As you created your action plan, based on research and evidence, how do you feel connected to the
material?
I feel motivated to utilize these resources. I hold anxiety towards lack of time management because I
view it as important. So I hope to put my action plan to use.
How will you use research in the future when examining yourself and your clients?
I will not be fearful or overwhelmed about research. Sometimes the task of having to piffle through to
find helpful information stops me from searching or trying.
Discuss in Class:
Reflect on the value of research and how it informs our professional work. How can we use research
with our clients? Is there a time where research is not valued in our field? How can we add to the
literature that exists to provide more knowledge and education?
Share ideas with each other on how to synthesize literature and connect it to an action plan.
Why is the role of research beneficial for counselor professional identity?
Activity from Hinkle, M. S., & Drew, M. ((2020). The Reflective Counselor: 45 Activities for Developing
Your Professional Identity. Taylor and Francis Group, Routledge. NY: NY. pp. 255-259. (ISBN 978-0-36711118297-7)