For Counselors in Training: Bouncing Back When a Session Ends Badly

As counselors and counselors in training, we often discuss difficult subjects with our clients and support our clients through the experience of the emotions that are connected to these subjects throughout the session. As the session comes to an end, it is part of our goal as counselors to end the session on a positive, or at least a neutral note. We are tasked with bringing the client back to a place where they can re-enter the outside world and move through the week ahead of them without carrying the weight of what was discussed in session out of the room with them.

Alas, that is the goal, but sometimes this goal is difficult to achieve. Recently, I had a difficult session with a client. While the overall session itself was quite good, the end of the session went to a difficult place. I was strapped for time and not entirely sure how to navigate what I was observing. Looking back on the session, I had challenged the client towards the end of the session, without enough time left for the client to explore that challenge. This caused the client to become frustrated. I, in turn, became frustrated as well. The session ended on a sour note.

Later, I went to a fellow counselor for advice. How do I bounce back from a bad ending? My fellow counselor shared some words with me that I really needed to hear. She stated that while we should always make it our goal to end on a positive note or neutral note, it is not always going to happen. That is ok. These are experiences we can learn from and use to inform future sessions. When I meet with the client for our next session, approach the subject head on. In my situation I might say, “You know, I felt really frustrated at the end of our last session, I wonder what your feelings were at the end of the session?”. It is within this conversation that I will have the opportunity to do some damage control. I can validate my client’s experience and allow my client to reclaim their platform in navigating their own journey. As counselors in training, when you have a bad session, the most important thing you can do is talk about it with a supervisor or a peer, chances are, they can shed some light on your experience.

If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist about this and are in the Chicago area, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167^th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Hillary R.,

Masters Level Intern, 2023