Keep in Mind the Importance of Ending the Session Well So That the Client Leaves the Session with Their Morale Restored

Jerome Frank (1961) , in a seminal book on psychotherapy entitled Persuasion and Healing , argued that while clients may come to therapy with a plethora of symptoms they are united by being in a state of demoralization when they seek help. Thus, one of the goals of psychotherapy is to restore a client’s morale. Helping the client leave with a sense that things could be different and hopeful about bringing this about is one of the key goals of SST. To do this, we pay particular attention to how clients leave the session. Thus, keep in mind the following. If your client has sought help with a specific issue, it is vital that: They leave with a self-selected solution to their issue, know that they are responsible for implementing it and are willing to actualize their responsibility. They have a plan to implement the solution. They have a plan to address any obstacles to implementing the plan or the solution. They know that they can access further help at the end of the third phase of SST (see Chapters 24 and 46). They have had an opportunity to ask any questions that they need to ask you or tell you anything that they need to tell you.