Have you ever had a client tell you they don’t have any issues to work on? You’re not alone. In fact, this is one of the most common challenges raised during support calls. So, what’s the best way to handle it?

The Seven Challenges uses a Mastery Counseling approach. That means clients are expected to work during each session, and the focus of work should be on issues that matter to them. This doesn’t mean working on what we think they should work on. It’s crucial to meet client’s where they’re at and focus on their priorities. With that in mind, let’s talk about how to respond when a client says, “I don’t have any issues to work on.”

Clarify what ‘work’ means

Your client might not fully understand what “work” means in this context. In past counseling experiences, they may have been told what they should do rather than choosing their own goals. Make it clear to them that in The Seven Challenges, clients select the issues they want to address, and they are expected to work in every session. The Working Session poster can be a great visual aid to show that work involves both awareness of issues and taking action to resolve them, and that those issues will always be the ones that matter to the client, not to the counselor. Sometimes, clients may ask for your help identifying an issue. You can certainly help with that; just be sure you’re helping them find what they want to work on rather than steering them toward what you want them to work on.

Get curious about what’s really going on

Once you’re confident they understand what work means (of it they already do), you might be able to start working. Other clients still might not engage. This is when you use some of your counseling skills to dig deeper and explore what’s behind the reluctance. It can be helpful to start at the most basic level about what is going on and understanding about how they feel about the working environment. Ask them:

• Are you uncomfortable talking to me (or to adults in general)?
• Do you have concerns about confidentiality?
• Are you feeling shame, fear, or embarrassment about perceived judgment from me or group members?

These are all common barriers to participation and working and addressing them can become the work for that day (look at that, we’re already working!). If a client is uncomfortable with adults, explore why and work together to figure out ways to help them feel safe with you (and eventually other adults). If they’re worried about confidentiality, address it directly. Explain both the protections and the limits so they know what to expect and can feel safe talking openly and honestly with you. If they’re feeling judged, understand why and make adjustments to help them feel comfortable. Discomfort, fear, shame, and embarrassment can make it hard for anyone to be honest, open, and vulnerable. As counselors, we must work hard to create and protect an environment where clients feel safe to share honestly, so we can help them work on what matters most to them.

Expand their view of what counts as “work”

Some clients believe they only have something to work on if there’s an immediate crisis, like figuring out where to stay while a guardian is incarcerated. Although these urgent situations matter, and need to be addressed right away, smaller issues count too! For example, learning how to handle a conflict with a sibling or parent may not be a crisis, but it’s still important, often connected to substance use, and worth addressing. In fact, focusing only on crises may be detrimental to long-term change. Crises typically occur less often, and the skills needed to deal with them may not generalize to the longer-term issues clients are dealing with. Helping clients see that even the “small” issues matter builds trust and makes it easier for them to engage now and in the future.

Being an active participant

Sometimes, a client may be working on a long-term goal and won’t benefit as much from focusing on it in a group session. In this rare case, their work for that day could be participating fully in the group by supporting the work of others. Use caution with this. Avoid offering it to someone who hasn’t been engaging or is new to group, as it can become a form of avoidance. But it’s true that sometimes things are going well, and that the benefit on working on their issues that week might be outweighed by the needs of others.

When nothing is working

The Seven Challenges assumes that everyone has issues to work on. If clients aren’t working, then we as counselors aren’t working either, and that is not acceptable from The Seven Challenges’ perspective. We also have an ethical responsibility as counselors to provide services because we are being compensated for our work. If a client is not engaging despite your efforts, try to understand why they are there. For court-mandated clients, it’s important they understand that if they don’t work, you won’t be able to report progress to the court.

These are just a few of the many reasons clients say they have nothing to work on. Whatever the reason, take it as a signal to lean in and get to work, not back away! Every session is an opportunity to help them move forward. If they’re not working, neither are we, and if nobody is working, nothing changes. Let’s make sure change happens. And if you run into other situations we haven’t addressed here, bring them to your next support call. We’re here to help.