Stalling out in session? Try these tips

Stalling out in session? Try these tips
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We’ve all been there. You’re at minute 35 of a 50-minute therapy session and…it just kinda stalls. If you’re finding yourself stalling out not knowing where to go next partway through session, here are some tips to consider.
*note: this does not constitute clinical advice. These are just some tools to have in your back pocket for if and when they apply.
Tips mentioned:
-If this is an ongoing pattern, observe it out loud with your client.
-Lightheartedly take responsibility and go back to where you lost the script
-Curiously notice that you stalled out together
-Self-disclose and collaborate (when appropriate)
-Use Internal Family Systems language to identify the part of the client that might feel hesitant
-Invite direct feedback
-Borrow from prior breakthroughs
-Check-in on your client's needs
-Consider whether your client may simply have arrived at their treatment goals
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This video is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field.
Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
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This video is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

[@mindspacementalwellnesscou7116]

I like to ask "Where should we go now" and let the client decide.

[@dancedancedance2458]

i love that so much, thank you!

[@deesimmons1301]

I appreciate the clinical scenarios ❤

[@mx.lucyfur]

I really like the approach of asking what "we" or "I" could do to make something feel more approachable. It's like confronting roadblocks but in a collaborative way rather than making the client feel accused of willful resistance.

[@irenelb7821]

Love the funny parts in the beginning 😂

[@lisaKittylove2010]

I love that you have a sense of humor about your practice. It shows a genuineness and humanity that I feel is missing from some practices.

[@paulkemp7035]

I really appreciated this video.
I would say though, that there have been times where I seem to stall out very early in the session. And having problems with silence, I tend to fill the void with reflections and question that sometimes seem a bit needless. I often wonder if it because there's something wrong with me, or if I still have some learning to do. But I'm glad that videos like these exist.

[@Mrsminamc]

If it's early on, maybe the client still needs to build trust in you or the process. I feel that meaningful self disclosure helps build the sense of safety in sessions.

[@venus_blue25]

Wow! So interesting to see how different therapists work. Personally, I would use almost none of these techniques. They feel very sx oriented rather than person-oriented and not very depth-oriented, either-we all have different styles!
When clients are having good weeks, it can be very sweet to reflect back to them their progress and growth. I might reflect back to them their strength and determination, and ask where they might want to direct that energy now that their current goal is satisfied.
I might inquire into their nighttime dreams and see what unfolds from there.
I might wonder about why the client is talking about this particular "diversion" and what importance there could be in their cat, for example. What is so great about the cat? How do they feel with the cat? Do they need more of that energy in their life more broadly? What's in the "dreaming" of the cat, so to speak?
If I sense the client might no longer have a need for therapy, I will help them over that edge and remark, wow! you are doing so well. I wonder at this point what it is that you're seeking from therapy. Maybe there's a part of you even wondering, do I still need therapy? -cts are often relieved by the permission to have a frank discussion, and I also frame this as a bit of relationship skill work, appreciate them going over their edges to express their needs, remark on how the conversation is going and might not confirm their negative expectations, etc.
I might also look at the larger pattern of coming to therapy without much to talk about and wonder what is NOT being talked about and what avoidance might be happening. Help the ct notice this and bring their awareness back.
Or, consider why they're coming that might be unspoken. Loneliness? Reassurance? And speak to that. "Is there a part of you that just needs to know you're okay? You're okay" or "You are such a delight to be with and you need more of this, of connection with people. How can we help you to find more of that outside this room?"
Just a few ideas!

[@venus_blue25]

Also! Catching what's happening proprioceptively, what they're doing in their body, how they're fidgeting, bringing awareness to that and amplifying it/doing it more/bigger and exploring whatever that is

[@Twinkletink83]

Great tips as always, Marie! I really appreciate your consistant videos as a newer therapist. Thank you!!

[@tellmeastory1307]

Appreciated!
What are your thoughts on when things start to stall towards the end of session (15 ish minutes to go) I will circle back to the client and say along the lines of “thanks for exploring xyz with me, i’m conscious of the time so i want to just ensure you feel we covered everything you wanted to in this session. Is there anything else you’d like to touch on?”
Sometimes this can spark a point of discussion if a tangent has been the bulk of the session and if they say they have covered everything i may discuss options for further psychoeducation resources. I like the mention of this stalling becoming a frequent occurrence then it may be time to explore reducing therapy or ‘graduating’.

[@Genesis321-wx5jx]

I look at notes from previous sessions and try to pick out things we havent discussed.

[@JasnaCG]

your videos are incredibly helpful and I am so grateful that you take the time out to do these.

[@d_iron_temple]

I saw the email and ran over here. I needed this ❤

[@tashajohnson7489]

I needed this.

[@jackems0181]

Such great tips! Thank you! 🙏🏼❤️

[@lizdestefano4905]

I love your videos and this one makes me 😂😂 laugh, the first 2mins! I'm not a therapist or want to be, but been following for a while because I'm a curious person but this one is funny! The stare down approached dose not work for me, my therapist used some of your tips said if I go off topic and I'm not talking about anything relevant, ask why xyz! But this is a funny video, I think! Love all that you do!

[@bethanymorse6085]

Love this video! So helpful.

[@dayonetherapy]

We love this one

[@danadelguerra6279]

Thanks

[@stephencaudill2422]

do people really see therapists for sleep?