How to Conduct a First Counseling Session: Treatment Fit

Russ Curtis, Ph.D., LCMHC is a professor of counseling at Western Carolina University. Prior to becoming a counselor educator, Russ worked in a clinical mental health center where he coordinated with medical providers to ensure optimal care for at-risk clients with co-morbid mental and physical illnesses. Dr. Curtis’s co-edited textbook, Integrated Care: Applying Theory to Practice (Curtis & Christian, 2012) was selected by The Council on Social Work Education in collaboration with SAMHSA as one of two recommended textbooks for training behavioral health professionals. He has produced two commercial counseling instructional videos, one of which, Positive Psychotherapy: Helping People Thrive (Curtis & Goetz, 2013) was selected as an Editor’s Choice by Microtraining Incorporated. For the past 20 years, Russ has taught and supervised both school and clinical counselors at WCU, and has researched and published in areas related to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in schools, treating adolescent anxiety, and increasing growth mindset in students.

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[oldschoolm]

You're a very soothing counsellor. That is the best quality to have in this field. I didn't realise it was broken down into so many parts, emotions, goals etc. Very inspiring!

[deniserylander]

I love the way the counselor only reflect too the client what she had said and the way the counselor let client speak her own small changes that was durable.this is very helpful

[Hellieface]

I find you demeanour, your general presence and the tone of your voice really comforting.

[russcurtis]

Very perceptive. It is certainly a CBT model for more fully developing treatment fit with clients. From my view, all therapy should be rooted in a humanistic perspective in that we want to demonstrate complete respect through active listening and empathic responses. In terms of assessment, note that no labels or DSM language was used, I was just attempting to learn more about the client's symptoms, goals, first steps from a more holistic client view. Best of luck with your program!

[shaelyn]

Hi Dr. Curtis, I'm a young girl and all I want in life is to become a psychiatrist, and I find your videos inspiring and incredibly helpful. Please continue =)

[shawnquigley]

This was exactly was I was looking for. I would really like to show this to my counseling class.

[msrudramma]

very comfortable and smooth. One could see the client feeling more comfortable as the session progressed

[candaceohara]

Very authentic and nicely orchestrated... Counselor and client make a good fit.

[roseinthegarden]

Dr. Kurtis is so sweet and professional.

[Suhail_Latiff]

So genuine yet so professional. Loved it

[angelicalee]

This was a great help for my social work practice 2 class! Great technique :) thanks for the post!

[hyh]

A standard procedure of assessment, goal-setting and discussion of treatment plan based on Cognitive-behavioral therapy.Very helpful!

[apadalbay]

Hello Dr. Russ.
Thanks for having this video. It really helps me a lot especially that i am a disaster volunteer and this kind of approach is a big help in conducting Psycho social intervention to help people who are victims of disasters.
Thanks a lot!!!!
=)

[russcurtis]

It's a Treatment Fit Model (TFM) and research is emerging indicating how important it is to establish a collaborative working relationship with clients where the issues, goals, and initial treatment plan is agreed upon by client and counselor. The Johari Window, on the other hand, is a pictorial representation of a client's self-awareness and how counseling hopes to help increase self awareness and, when appropriate, personal transparency. I hope this helps. Good luck with your studies!

[ahmedwaheezy]

You make this look so easy! I have my first demonstration tomorrow, and I'm terrified.

[bethu]

A very good video, this is a part of my studying counselling, it explains things so well.

[gracejohnson]

It's nice, it identifying a pattern how to helped me understand how to be better person! great video!

[npaujbais]

thank you so much for sharing this. i'm starting a program in MFT and watching this video has finally helped me understand what the term "healing process" means. i can finally gasp the understanding of how a counselor can help their patient heal by being supportive and listening. please, looking forward to more videos from you, please please share.

[junebug]

Thank you so much for posting. I am learning how to conduct counseling sessions within the school setting and it helps me to see how other professionals do it. :)

[bornasdragonfly]

Role playing is a big part of my assignment. Thanks