3 Ways to Support Clients in Between Therapy Sessions (Without Burning Out)

Sometimes, clients need a little extra TLC when we're not available or have run out of time in the session. It can be tough to balance being there for our clients and taking care of ourselves. Here are some practical tips to keep your clients feeling supported and empowered in between sessions, all while ensuring you maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

When Clients Need Extra Support but You Aren’t Available

We’ve all been there: You’ve hit the 50 minute mark, and you’re really wishing you could give your client that extra bridge to address their complaint. Or, a client reaches out needing support, but you’re in back-to-back sessions, or it’s the weekend, and you’re trying to recharge. First things first, remember that it’s okay to have your work boundaries. Your well-being is crucial for providing the best care. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be helpful to your clients!

To keep expectations in treatment clear, it’s a good idea to set up a clear communication and availability policy from the get-go. Let your clients know when you’re available, the appropriate way to reach you, and when they might need to rely on other resources. Encourage them to reach out to trusted friends, family, or crisis hotlines if they need immediate support.

But there are also easy ways to set your clients up for success in between sessions.

1. Assign a Relevant Course They Can Work Through Between Sessions

Now, let’s start with resources that can keep your clients engaged and growing even when they’re not in session. Online courses are a fantastic way to provide structured, self-paced learning tailored to their needs. Whether it's a course on mindfulness, self-compassion, or cognitive-behavioral techniques, these can be a game-changer for your clients confidence and reaching their goals. 

For instance, if you have a client struggling with anxiety, you might recommend a course on anxiety management techniques. This not only helps them build skills but also reinforces what you’re working on in your sessions. Plus, it’s a great way for them to feel like they’re making progress even when you’re not physically there to guide them.

Using tools like Carebetter can help you identify courses to assign your clients. With Carebetter, therapists have access to a library of assignable courses made by mental health providers. Clients can then access these courses in their Carebetter app, let you know when they complete the assignment, and even share notes on what they learned.

Read more: How to assign homework to clients >>

2. Assign Journal Prompts Relevant to Their Presenting Problem

Ah, the power of journaling! It’s such a simple yet profound tool for self-reflection and growth. Assigning journal prompts can give your clients a structured way to process their thoughts and feelings between sessions. Tailor these prompts to their specific issues to make them as impactful as possible.

For example, if your client is dealing with self-esteem issues, you might assign prompts like:

• "Write about a time when you felt proud of yourself. What qualities or actions led to that feeling?"
• "List three things you appreciate about yourself today."

Or, for a client struggling with grief:

• "Describe a memory with your loved one that makes you smile. What emotions does this memory bring up?"
• "What are some ways you can honor and remember your loved one?"

Encourage your clients to bring their journal entries to sessions. This not only helps them process their emotions but also gives you valuable insights into their progress and challenges.

Carebetter provides therapists with an entire library of journal prompts for a variety of presenting problems. Therapists can assign one of these, or create their own unique journal prompt, sending the prompt directly to their clients’ Carebetter app. The client can then write out and even share their entry with their therapist directly in their app.

3. Create a Personalized Self-Care Plan

Sometimes, clients just need a little nudge to take better care of themselves. Creating a personalized self-care plan can empower them to prioritize their well-being in between sessions by providing consistency, accountability, and guidance. This plan can include activities they enjoy, relevant coping skills, and healthy habits tailored to their needs and preferences.

For example, if your client struggles with stress, you might suggest daily relaxation exercises like diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or a short walk outside. For those who feel isolated, incorporating social activities or connecting with a support group can be beneficial. The key is to make the plan realistic and achievable, so your clients feel motivated to stick with it.

Encourage them to keep track of their self-care activities and reflect on how these practices make them feel. This not only helps them stay mindful of their needs but also reinforces the importance of self-care as part of their overall mental health journey.

Carebetter enables therapists to directly assign custom habits and routines to their clients, allowing the client to get personalized reminders on the go and easily track every time they complete a task. Therapists and clients are able to monitor progress together in the Carebetter app, creating accountability, motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Wrapping It Up

We all care about our clients, and the desire to support our clients doesn’t stop when they leave our office or log off a session. We can still protect our work-life balance by setting realistic and clear boundaries, and foster our client’s growth, even when we aren’t available, by recommending relevant courses, assigning thoughtful journal prompts, and providing a trackable and achievable self-care routine.  Remember, the little things we do to support our clients to do between sessions can make a big difference.