How can counselors prepare sessions in advance?

• A. Post-session notes only.
• B. Do nothing until the session begins.
• C. List of discussion topics; Planned activities; Informal agenda.
• D. Rely solely on spontaneous decisions.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is planning ahead to structure and guide counseling sessions. Having a plan before the session runs helps you stay focused on the client’s goals and use time effectively. A list of discussion topics ensures you cover the issues that matter and track progress, while planned activities provide concrete ways to build skills or coping strategies during the session. An informal agenda keeps things flexible, so you can adjust in response to the client’s needs without losing direction. This approach is more effective than waiting until the session to decide what to do, which can leave goals unfocused, or relying only on spontaneous decisions, which can waste time and reduce engagement.