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sion assigning homework and scheduling the next session . In a Spark Session , this process is cut down to two or three minutes .
Spark Sessions also rarely include having a client complete a worksheet or written activity in-session . Rather , I send the worksheet or written activity to Spark Session clients ahead of time , and ask them to come into the session with the work already completed . That way we are able to spend majority of the session processing how it felt for the client to complete the activity as well as the results of it .
Overcoming the Typical Objections Raised About Condensed Therapy
It ’ s important to me to make therapy more available and accessible , especially to Black communities . The primary objection I ’ ve heard from clients when presented with the idea of Spark Sessions is that they believe they “ talk too much ” for 30-minute therapy sessions to be enough time for they want to discuss .
While it is ultimately the client ’ s own choice whether to continue with traditional 50-minute sessions or switch to the 30-minute Spark Sessions , I assure them that 30 minutes is more than enough time to have a productive session .
session be if the client is distracted by concerns that the dinner they put in the oven before dashing out the door to therapy will burn if they don ’ t arrive back home in time — or by worries that they may be late picking up the kids from practice ?
Though I do offer some evening session times to accommodate my busy clients ’ lifestyles , the evening timeslot has its own drawbacks . More than one client has confessed that they are exhausted at the end of the long day and have little left to give mentally and emotionally . A 30-minute lunch meeting can be the perfect fit — and the perfect fix .
Consider Using Spark Sessions to Make Therapy More Available to More People
Therapy is not a “ quick-fix ” field , and it can be an oasis for a client with a frenetic lifestyle to take the time to experience therapy in a way that models and reinforces what it means to slow-down in a world full of demands .
Still , it is also important that we create a safe space for our clients , many of whom will choose to skip therapy altogether if it means that the time required for it is yet another daunting hurdle to overcome .
Clients often become interested when I compare Spark Sessions to a school-based or in-home therapy session , which only lasts 20 – 30 minutes . A top selling point with 30-minute sessions is that they can be done during the client ’ s lunch break .
Since my clients are all working professionals , they often do not have any other free time to meet during the day , and by the time they get off work , they often have so much left to do — kids , homework , exercise , cooking dinner , etc .— that it ’ s not easy for them to fit in a therapy appointment .
I understand : How productive can an after-work therapy
AMHCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE June 22 – 24 , 2022
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See the special conference section in this issue on pages 17 – 24 .
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In this age of ubiquitous technology , fast-paced living , and instant gratification , it is important that we as clinicians meet our clients where they truly are . Therapy is not onesize-fits-all , so we can ’ t presume that the old way of doing things will always work . And we certainly know that it won ’ t always work for everyone .
I encourage my clinician colleagues to take some time to examine how they are structuring their therapy schedules , and whether there are some ways we could all be more open to change . For me , offering Spark Sessions has opened up ways that I can reach more clients — and alleviate more pain .
12 The Advocate Magazine 2022 , Issue # 1 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org