The Structure of Counseling

Psychological counseling is fundamentally a structured process tailored to the client's issues. The frequency and duration of sessions greatly depend on the specific situation, the client's current state, and shared goals. Generally speaking:

• Sessions occur on a weekly or bi-weekly basis (always bi-weekly for couple and family therapy);

• Individual sessions usually last 45-60 minutes, while couple and family therapies last 80-90 minutes;

• The overall length of the process varies depending on the depth of the problems and the goals set: there are brief therapies (e.g., 8-12 sessions) and longer-term processes (several months or even years).

The frequency is determined together by the client and their psychologist. Psychologists offer professional guidance on how often sessions should be held, based on the issues and stress being addressed. Some professionals adhere strictly to their methodologies and may only accept a client if they agree to attend weekly. Certain therapeutic methods also impact frequency; for instance, psychoanalytic therapy might require several sessions a week during certain phases, while sex therapy may require sessions only every 3-4 weeks.

In general, weekly meetings in individual therapy create a framework that effectively kickstarts inner work and self-reflection. It simply sets a rhythm that helps foster progress as soon as possible. Of course, there are other factors that can influence frequency, such as the financial aspect of counseling, family background, and work schedule. It’s important to be candid with your psychologist about these aspects, so you can discuss together how to collaborate most effectively within your means.

Phases of the Counseling Process

First Session
During this session, you’ll get to know your psychologist, who will introduce themselves, explain the therapeutic methods they work with, and inform you about the framework of the counseling process. After you provide a general overview of yourself, you can outline the reasons that brought you to seek psychological counseling. The first session is meant to provide a first impression for both of you, allowing you to decide if you wish to work together on your issues, leading to the formation of a therapeutic contract. The goal of the first session is also to help the client understand the boundaries, processes, and expected outcomes of counseling.

Initial Interview
The Initial Interview refers to the first one or more sessions where there is an opportunity to define the problem more precisely and to explore it further. During this, the psychologist thoroughly examines the client's life situation, emotional state, and root causes of the problems. This enables the professional to form a comprehensive overview, which helps in mutually setting specific goals and direction for the process.

Active Work (Intervention Phase)
This phase is where intensive work takes place. The psychologist supports the client with various methods and techniques to achieve change and manage problems. This active phase's duration depends on the depth of the issues and can be shorter or longer. Throughout the process, the client gradually acquires new strategies, their self-awareness strengthens, and they become more confident in implementing changes.

Closure
During the closure phase, the client and psychologist jointly review the achievements, evaluate the process, and discuss how the client can maintain their progress.

Follow-Up
In many cases, follow-up can be beneficial, which involves sessions scheduled at a mutually agreed later time where the client can provide feedback on how well they have integrated what they learned into their life. This can help prevent relapse and provide further reinforcement.

The phases of the counseling process each contribute to supporting clients in the best possible way on their path to development. Psychological counseling is a long-term investment in achieving and maintaining mental health, enabling us to be more balanced, calm, and assertive in both personal and social aspects of life.