What do I do when the "Wellbeing Room" door closes...

In short, I'd struggle to tell you what Ive actually done in each session. I'd go as far to say I havent got a clue, just that something happens, but that would have made a pretty poor post and would have been far too it pointless.

I think that as a trainee you want to nail each session with your clients, that is definitely how I've felt, especially in those early sessions (I know, I'm only 30 hours in, I'm not trying to come across as a pro, but my sessions have defininetly evolved as I've done more hours). My expectations where that in each session there would be: clear techniques, homework assignments, and measurable progress. Yet, the majority of the time the reality was something very different.

When I step into a session, I don’t always know exactly what I’m doing. I don’t have a script or a checklist. Instead, I just try to have a conversation, sure its not like a normal conversation, lets call it a "therapuetic conversation", and in this therapeutic conversation I try to respond in a way that may challenge what was said, or acknowledge something that was said, sometimes I may just sit and listen, which can feel that I am listening too much and not offering anything.

This uncertainty is unsettling, especially when others around me seem to have clear methods or goals for their clients and may provide homework. But despite this, I have witnessed real change in the people I work/have worked with.

I’m learning to embrace the unknown in counseling and how doing so can foster genuine transformation even without a rigid structure.

Many of the other students on my course seem to describe their sessions as a mix of techniques, assessments, and planned interventions. For me, I often feel like that isnt the case. There’s no set agenda or homework to assign. I listen, reflect, and respond naturally. Sometimes I wonder if I should be doing more or doing the sessions differently.

I think for me, and it doesnt take much, this can start to show as a bit of self-doubt. That in the moments when I can say "I am still learning" there are other when its more like "you should have done more". But, in both of those instances I know there is no formula to a great sessions, that it isnt even about if i thought it was a great session, its about being there in the room, creating an envirnmoent that allows for a connection to blossom where the client can explore their thought and feelings

Why Not Knowing Can Be a Strength..."if you think you know what you are doing, you are probably doing it wrong".

Yes, thats another snippet I have picked up along the way.

Not having a fixed plan can actually open up possibilities. When I don’t know exactly what to do, I stay curious and flexible. This allows the conversation to flow naturally and the client to lead the way. It can create a genuine connection that feels less like therapy and more like a meaningful conversation.

Being prepared for the unknown is something I’m constantly working on, because having that checklist to tick off a reflection or summary, making sure to focus, and all the other skills on the feedback sheets at college might mean I’m more focused on myself rather than embracing that uncertainty, responding in the moment to what is happening in the room.

Am I good enough?

Is a question I often ask myself, feeling unsure about what to do in sessions can lead to self-criticism. It can be exhausting and unhelpful, but it’s not really a question I can answer. Clients returning is the best measure I have. Presence over perfection. Switching the focus from counselling skills/theory/techniques to connection. Then seeing clients returning and coming to sessions with physical and emotional improvements is a good reflection of the approach having its benefits. Moving the dial even just a little is improvement, no matter how big or little the movement may be. It’s not for me to decide.

Closing thoughts…

Counselling can be the catalyst of real change which can happen in the space between plans and uncertainty. When I embrace not knowing exactly what to do, the door opens to genuine connection and works towards real transformation.

I need to remember that my work has value. Sometimes, the most powerful tool you have is simply being present and listening, even when I may not be able to spell out exactly what happened, something must do as clients return and continue the work.

Lastly, the room which I use on my placement is signposted as the "wellness room", which is why the blog is titled what it is :)