ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the basics of getting started with new clients, including gaining an initial understanding of the person and her/his concerns, which is often referred to as “client conceptualization.” It explains the purposes of client conceptualization and what can be learned from initial session reports. The chapter describes how to gather information for client conceptualization through therapeutic listening. It provides examples of treatment plans for school and agency settings that feature the role of therapeutic relationships. The chapter shows how counseling-related assessment can be incorporated into therapeutic relationships and the difficulties that may arise in doing so. It also shows how a counselor can build therapeutic relationships even when extensive information-gathering is necessary within initial meetings with clients. The chapter explains why building a therapeutic relationship is important for client care, even when extensive information-gathering is necessary in initial meeting with a client.
