A counselling relationship is expected to run for an average of 6 sessions.
Each session is normally spaced in one-week intervals to give the client time and opportunity to apply what they have learned from the previous lesson.
As meeting once a week may not be enough to facilitate real change (and meeting more than once a week may be costly); here in Grace Counselling Centre, we provide an inter-session E-mail support.
The contact between counsellor and the client doesn’t end with the physical sessions.
Counsellors in GCC keep in contact with the client between sessions through E-mail exchanges, support, and updates.
To summarize, this not-so-simple issue, here is an overview of how I see things (opinion: Kirby Chua):
Frequency of sessions (which are one-hour long for individuals and 90 minutes long for couples) is set to a default of 1 session per week.
This can go more frequent (ie: 2x per week) depending on the severity of the case (ie: crisis intervention or worse, suicidality). In the video below, I mentioned that if the need arises to meeting with the client 3 times per week, I would recommend the client to look into hospital confinement.
The frequency of sessions will be reduced once the data gathering stage is over and any urgent matters have been managed. The counselling sessions can be moved to the average frequency of meeting 2 times per month. This can be further reduced to meeting once a month or even meeting once every 2 months depending on the comfort of both client and counsellor. For the clients, they have to consider their finances and their work leaves (not to mention their time off from their families). For the counsellor, we have to worry about the pace of the learning and change of the client.
To balance things out (factoring in client finances, leaves, and optimal change in the counselling process), my answer to the safest frequency for counselling is having a session TWICE PER MONTH. I find this to be the most cost-effective and the most efficient for the client’s growth and change. If I am a client of counselling myself, I would set off my counselling frequencies to twice per month.
For the DURATION of the relationship, let me throw back to you the question: How much time will you need to acquire a new habit? A new skill? A new belief system of thought? Because this is what it will take for counselling to achieve its goals. To quit an addiction, to overcome anxieties and fears, to let go of the old ugly self, all of these pertain to a deep rooted change within oneself. And this will not happen overnight.
Most BRIEF COUNSELLING SESSIONS last for 6-sessions. This is considered a touch-and-go level of counselling care. On the average, changes can be observed, generally (safely), on the 12th session of the counselling relationship. I know this may seem expensive, but take into consideration that 12-sessions will not take place in 12 weeks. That would be too rushed. I foresee 12-sessions stretching into 4 to 6 months. Now, this is ‘mature’ and realistic counselling.
So, I’m wrapping this article up. My consolidated answer to the question of, how long will counselling last is, give and take, around 6 sessions (of 60 minutes each) delivered within 3 months. By then, we will see sings of changes and the client will have enough tools to walk into their real path.
If you are in need of good old fashioned Christian Counselling or to consult a Christian Psychologist, please contact us through:
admin@gracecounsellors.com
Whatsapp/SMS at (+65) 98953786
Telegram @KirbyChua
We provide face-to-face counselling, online counselling, Marriage Counselling, for various issues. Give us a ring or leave a message for a free consultation on how to navigate the mental health and mental wellness industry.