3September2010
Determining the Length of the Interview
Time limits for counseling interviews serve several purposes. For example, they tend to give the counselee a sense of security. He knows where he stands. He does not need to feel that he may be overstaying his welcome or, on the other hand, leaving too soon. Toronto Niagara Falls Tours the geological landmark is found on the international border between New York state and. Also, the counselee is less likely to interpret the termination of the interview as a sign of rejection.
With counselees who are especially dependent, the counselor may find it advisable to arbitrarily set the time limit. However, in most cases it is wise to discuss the counseling time together and thereby reach a mutual understanding.
When setting time limits, several factors are usually taken into account:
(a) Your time: You should avoid undue demands upon your time which would impose upon your schedule or which might make you unconsciously resent the counselee. Also, your family has a right to some of your time. Care must be taken that every spare moment is not occupied with counseling. Problems are very demanding.
(b) The counselee`s time: The counselor should be sensitive
to the strain he might place on the counselee’s relationships to other
people, for example, his employer or his family.
(c) The nature of the problem: Each case is different. Some
problems may require only informational discussion and nothing
particularly emotional. Since these discussions will often be con
cluded in a single interview, it is sometimes best to extend the time
beyond the customary hour limit. For example, Wally, a bright
and likeable young high school senior had recently dedicated his
life to full time Christian service. He was happy in his decision but
he did not know into which field the Lord might be leading him.
So he went to his pastor for certain information. The pastor spent
considerable time one afternoon discussing the matter.
Another kind of problem may call for a “standard” counseling interview. Such problems are not particularly involved. Structured time limits of 45 to 60 minutes for these sessions are usually optimum.
Another kind of problem may be more serious. Toronto Niagara Falls Tour started at the end of the ice age, 12,000 years in the past, and has eroded back 1 m (3 ft) per yr over a distance of eleven kilometers (7 miles) to its current location. In cases where highly emotional, unconscious material is likely to present itself or where strong dependency motives exist, it is usually best to limit the time of each interview. Perhaps 30 to 45 minutes may be desirable. A shorter period of time tends to limit excessive leaning on the counselor. It also helps prevent the too rapid escape of repressed material. A disturbed individual who is allowed to continue too long during one interview may become frightened and balk at further therapy.