Make A Plan And Stick To It
Until It Needs To Change
We are often told to make a plan and stick to it. Generally, that’s good advice but what happens when you learn something you didn’t know when you made the plan?
Let’s think first about why we bother with planning.
After, or even during a consultation with a client, as therapists we will already be searching our toolbox for effective techniques to use. This is so beneficial in so many ways; it gives structure and direction; it helps both therapist and client know what they are working on and prevents therapy sessions becoming just a collection of techniques or interesting conversations without a particular purpose.
But it is important to remember that the plan was formulated with the information you had to hand at the time. When something else arrives in the picture, sticking to the plan can feel a bit clunky, not necessarily wrong but simply that there is now more to deal with.
So, what are we looking out for? What might change the picture?
Often the picture changes because the client has given you more information. This happens as the therapeutic relationship deepens and trust grows; the client becomes more comfortable with adding more detail than before. It can also be because you, as the therapist we have thought of something else that could prove useful. And sometimes it could be due to an intervention not yielding the results expected.
The client’s priorities may shift, and it is not uncommon for you to notice a behaviour pattern that wasn’t obvious before.
When these things (and others) happen, it can create a dilemma. In your head you’re thinking ‘we agreed on X’ so, do we simply try harder, find another technique, or perhaps assume the client is not engaging? This is a danger point where we become too attached to our own formulation and ‘sticking to the plan’.
This is where we could pause before pivoting.
New information doesn’t mean immediately throwing the plan away either. You could simply ask yourself – What does this new information tell me? Does it genuinely change my understanding? What do I need to know next?
This can be a difficult moment; doubt may rush in causing you to falter and second guess yourself. It is a crucial pivotal time. Don’t silently change tack, breathe, then address this with the client so bringing them on board from the start. You may say something like:
When we started, we thought X was where we needed to focus. From what you’ve told me today, I’m wondering whether Y might be more important than we originally realised. What do you think?’
This makes what happens next collaborative. It is also an excellent example of using your professional voice within the therapeutic relationship.
Reflecting on this we could deduce that good practice isn’t about being right at the beginning. Perhaps it’s about being curious enough to notice when your original thinking no longer quite fits.
So, make a plan and stick to it does have merit initially and it’s prudent to give it a chance to work. But don’t become so committed to the plan that you stop noticing the information telling you it needs to change.
A therapeutic plan should give us direction without closing down our curiosity.