the counselor in the first place makes sense. A client is much more likely to be cooperative and to be open with the counselor if he feels they appreciate and understand his problem, and are not always trying to steer him off the topic into some area he has no interest in exploring. The client is much more likely to see results quickly in this way, and be much more satisfied with the outcome, and more likely to seek such help again in the future, should he feel it necessary. A good relationship with the counselor is essential if anything is to be achieved, and having the counselor address what the client thinks is important directly and not in a round-about way is much more likely to yield successful results.
Setting positive goals for change is also important, and makes the client see that a plan has been formulated and that there is a way to solve his problem. He feels the counselor understands his needs, and will cooperate in developing and carrying out the plan under these circumstances rather than if the counselor tries t
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