Made for Counselors
Check Whether the Next Step Is Actually Doable
Also useful for: Mental Health Counselors
8 min
Beginner
Planning
Get Something Done
Use a focused closing check to turn a client's intended action into a specific, safe, affordable, supported, and adjustable plan.
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Use this when
Use this near the end of a session after the client has chosen an action, especially when follow-through has been difficult or circumstances may change.
You'll need
- Session goal
- Proposed action
- Known barriers
- Timing and support
- Safety and cost
You'll get
- A specific action stated in the client's language
- Its size, ownership, safety, cost, timing, support, and flexibility checked
- A backup approach confirmed
- A follow-up point confirmed
- The earliest sign that the plan needs revisiting confirmed.
By the end of this playbook
You will have:
- A specific action stated in the client's language
- Its size, ownership, safety, cost, timing, support, and flexibility checked
- A backup approach confirmed
- A follow-up point confirmed
- The earliest sign that the plan needs revisiting confirmed.
Sample
This is sample data, not your prompt. Pro unlocks this higher-stakes Playbook. On Free Playbooks you can still copy the assembled prompt into any AI.
Sample input
Session goal: The client wants to resolve a delayed benefits application without becoming overwhelmed. Proposed action: I will call the benefits office on Tuesday morning to ask which document is missing. Known barriers: Long hold times increase anxiety, and the client sometimes ends calls before reaching anyone. Timing and support: Tuesday at 10 am. The client's sister agreed to sit nearby during the call with the client's permission. Safety and cost: The call is free and can be made from home. No immediate safety concern was disclosed.
Sample assembled prompt
Doable check: - Specific: Ready. The action identifies the office, the... - Small enough: Ready. The goal is to identify the... - Personally chosen: Ready. The action is stated as the... - Safe: Ready based on the... No immediate concern was disclosed. - Affordable: Ready. The call is free and does... - Timed: Ready. The call is planned for Tuesday... - Supported: Ready. The client chose support from a... - Flexible: Needs revision. A backup hasn't yet been... Revised action: "I will call the... My sister can sit with me... How long do you want to... 2. What would make the call... 3. When should we check back... Backup action: If the call is... Revisit sign: Revisit the plan if... Follow-up point: Review the result at...