What is typically included in the 'Discuss the issues' phase of a counseling session?

The 'Discuss the issues' phase of a counseling session primarily focuses on identifying issues. This phase allows both the counselor and the individual to articulate and clarify the specific challenges or concerns that need to be addressed. By pinpointing the issues, it creates a foundation for further discussion and enables both parties to understand the root causes of the problems at hand. Identification of these issues is crucial as it guides the direction of the counseling process and ensures that subsequent phases, which may include exploring feelings or setting goals, are grounded in the realities of the individual's experiences and needs.

While other aspects like exploring feelings and setting goals are essential parts of the counseling process, they typically occur after the issues have been identified and discussed. Revising plans usually comes later in the counseling session, once the issues are understood and solutions are being formulated. Thus, identifying the issues is the key focus during this particular phase.