ABSTRACT
The second session tends to be the most nerve-wracking session because the counselor will start to really tackle client’s problems. Even after the second session, some difficult situations may arise. Learning how to manage these difficult scenarios can make or break the therapy outcome. With the tips provided in this chapter, beginning counselors/therapists will boost their sense of flow, their presence, and their personal strengths, thereby reducing the effect of “beginner’s anxiety” that many new therapists tend to suffer from. Through the numerous examples demonstrated in this chapter, they will gain confidence in the following tasks:
Coping with the second session anxiety
Navigating silence
Dealing with client resistance and ambivalence
Deepening clients’ awareness, without worsening their anxiety
Removing their own communication barriers
Dealing with their own doubts and discomforts
Taking care of their self in the session
