This week we learnt about the importance of using models in Counselling, and in particular, using SMART goals. Models and systems are measurable ways for clients to set goals and then achieve those targets. They can be very useful for monitoring a client’s needs and recognising any changes in their behaviour which affect the working contract.
The SMART method is one of the ways a counsellor and client can work together to identify, set and complete goals. SMART stands for:
S
– Specific
M
– Measurable
A
– Attainable
R
– Relevant
T
– Time-bound
Specific
refers to the importance of once deciding upon a goal, defining it in a way that is clearly achievable. In this part of the model it is important to consider these three questions related to the goal that is set:
What are you going to do?
Why is this important to do at this time?
How are you going to do it?
This ensures the goal is relevant and realistic, and provides a method to achieving it. An example of this is: “to combat my day-to-day tiredness I will go to bed between 9 and 10 o’clock so I get 7-8 hours of sleep per night” rather than just “I will get more sleep”.
Measurable
means that the goal is able to be monitored and managed over time. It makes it clear if the end goal has been achieved or how the ongoing goal is progressing. If something is measurable, then the criteria for measuring it can change over time, for example, if a client wanted to start slowly by saying “I will run half a mile twice a week” in the first week, then “I will run half a mile three times a week” in the second week, then “I will run one mile twice a week”, and so on, it creates a sense of achievement as well as providing evidence of progress, and can maintain motivation. This is more useful than saying “I want to start running”, as that statement has far too many variables.
Attainable
determines if the goal is realistic or not. A goal that is unrealistic could be unachievable, either within a certain time-frame, or overall. Setting realistic expectations helps a client maintain motivation throughout the process, and works especially synergistically with goals that are measurable. A goal needs to be something outside of a client’s current comfort zone so it stretches them, but also achievable. When they do complete it, they are rewarded with the satisfaction of doing something they previously thought they could not do or that they never had the confidence to try. An example of this could be that a client wants to run a marathon next weekend. With no previous running experience, this is unrealistic! If this course of action was taken then the client would run half a mile and collapse. It would be much better to build slowly to it and train sensibly, then over time it will become more realistic.
Relevant
means that the goal will help towards the client’s desired outcome and that it needs to take a client’s current life situation into account. If a client wanted to move to Japan, the goal would not be to learn the Danish language. Similarly, if a client wanted to move to Japan but was looking after a bed-ridden relative whilst working a high-pressure job, it would not be tenable. Taking variables into consideration, such as a client’s lifestyle, their family status and their occupation is a big part of this aspect of the SMART model, as no two people would necessarily benefit from the identical goal.
Time-bound
relates to determining an end-point to achieving the goal. This is important as it gives the client a clear target to work towards, and aids both the client and counsellor in measuring progress on the goal. Without a clear end point for the goal, it could be put off indefinitely as the client could fall victim to the “I’ll start tomorrow” syndrome. A time limit creates a boundary around the goal, which makes it feel urgent and important, and spurs on action. If a client’s goal was to learn rock-climbing, then setting the goal “learn rock-climbing” with no time limit on it would be next to useless. In conjunction with the other aspects of the SMART model, a better goal to set would “I will attend rock-climbing lessons for two hours per week with the intention of being able to climb the intermediate wall in two months’ time”. As you can see, another benefit of attaching a time-bound condition to a week-to-week activity is that it makes it measurable.
It’s important to listen for the client’s agenda throughout making use of a model, as their objectives may change, or the process may not be leading them towards the desired outcome. Rather than respond from your own frame of reference as a counsellor, it’s important to understand that the client is the expert on the thing they are talking about – themselves! If something is not working part way through the process, a counsellor should not try and force it to work. Listen to the client and let them direct the relationship – as a counsellor you are a tool for the client to use – a complex tool that requires instruction on how to be used well by the client, as well as requiring guidance from the client to be efficient in your use. While it is useful to have goals and use systems to achieve them, not all clients would benefit from this approach.
Models and systems are useful to keep in mind, but it is not always necessary to fully explain the model in great detail to all clients. Some clients may just need a verbalisation of their goals, and a brainstorm about how to achieve them, while others may prefer written courses of action.
Assessment charts and assessment sheets are commonly used more by CBT professionals than counsellors, but they can be useful in measuring progress over many weeks. Overleaf is an example of such a sheet. I have left some criteria blank to give the counsellor and client the option to further tailor the sheet to specific circumstances that may not be covered in a generic, one-size fits all questionnaire. It could be that all criteria are left blank, so that it can be truly customised to the needs of the client. Another alternative may be to design it with multiple weeks in mind, so progress and mood can be measured over time in a way that is easy to look at. As a counsellor it is good to be open-minded enough not to rely on a certain procedure for all clients, and be flexible enough in your approach so it doesn’t feel like you’re simply ticking boxes off a checklist with every client.
