Keep in Mind the Importance of Offering the Client the Opportunity to Hear What You Can Bring to the Table if What Is Already on the Table Is Insufficient to Effect Change

As discussed in the previous chapter, it is important that you keep in mind that your first port of call in single-session therapy is to identify, put on the table and work with what I call ‘client-derived variables’, which are factors that already exist in your client’s skills, history and experience. If, in your view, there is insufficient on the table to help the client achieve their session goal, then you need to bring something to the table that will help the client achieve their objective. The best way of doing that is to ask the client if they are interested in your ‘take’ on whatever issue you have agreed to focus on. If you ask your client this and they give their assent, they are more likely to listen to you than they would be if you just shared your view as a matter of course.