The first counselling session is different from any subsequent sessions. In the first session, you will put a counselling contract in place, discuss boundaries and the limitations of confidentiality. It also gives you as the counsellor an opportunity to assess the client's needs as they explain their reasons for seeking counselling.
Much has been written about how to conduct a counseling session. Less has been written about what should occur and the beginning and end of one. So I thought I'd share what I do.

I hope this will be useful not only to counselors and coaches but to clients evaluating their counselor or coach.