During career counseling, clarifying the client’s expectations is part of which phase?

Clarifying the client’s expectations is a crucial component of the initial phase of career counseling. During this phase, the counselor establishes a rapport with the client and gathers important information to understand the client's needs, aspirations, and concerns. This process involves discussing what the client hopes to achieve from the counseling sessions, setting mutual goals, and ensuring that both the counselor and the client have a shared understanding of the counseling process. By clarifying expectations early on, it sets the foundation for effective communication and trust, which are essential for successful outcomes throughout the counseling journey.

In contrast, other phases focus on different aspects. The middle phase typically concentrates on exploring options and strategies, while the termination phase is about concluding the counseling relationship and discussing progress. The evaluation phase usually assesses the outcomes of the counseling strategy that has been implemented, rather than clarifying expectations at the outset. Therefore, the initial phase is fundamental to establishing a clear framework for the counseling relationship.