See previous years here.

I think we all know what goal-setting looks like. It’s questions like:

• what do you want life to look like six months from now?

• what would you like to be different?

• what do you want that is bigger than what you have now?

• what’s the hardest part of your experience right now, and what would you like that to change into?

Goal-setting, just like any other clinical skill, takes ongoing practice in order to improve it. After all, there are ways to get it wrong. What’s that look like? Here’s how I can tell when a clinician and client are misaligned in goals:

• Client appears not ready to “do the work”

• Client appears “resistant”

• Clinician feels frustrated or bored with the therapeutic work

• Treatment plans feel arbitrary, archaic, or just like checking a box

So, what can we practice? How can we get better at setting goals with clients?

1. Meet Clients Where They Are

Not every client walks into therapy ready to dive into deep change. Assess their stage of readiness and set goals that reflect where they are today—not where we think they should be. For example, a client in pre-contemplation might benefit more from exploring their ambivalence than jumping into a fully action-oriented goal.

2. Collaborate, Don’t Dictate

Goals should feel like a partnership. Instead of prescribing goals based on our expertise alone, we need to co-create them. Ask open-ended questions like, “What feels important to you right now?” or “What would success look like to you?” This ensures that the client’s voice is central, making goals more meaningful and motivating.

3. Break It Down

Sometimes, the goals clients bring to therapy are huge, abstract, or overwhelming: “I want to be happy,” or “I don’t want to feel like this anymore.” While valid, these big-picture goals need to be broken down into smaller, actionable steps. For instance, “I want to be happy” could translate into “I’ll practice one act of self-care daily” or “I’ll identify one thing that brings me joy each week.”

4. Stay Flexible

Life happens. What felt like a priority in one session might shift completely in the next. Regularly revisit goals to ensure they still align with the client’s needs. Ask, “Does this still feel important?” or “Should we adjust this based on what’s going on for you now?”

5. Celebrate Progress

Therapy isn’t just about reaching the finish line; it’s about the journey. Recognize and celebrate small wins along the way. Whether it’s a new coping skill, a moment of self-awareness, or a small behavioral change, acknowledging progress builds momentum and reinforces the therapeutic relationship.

Goal-setting is both an art and a skill. It’s not about perfecting a formula but about staying curious, collaborative, and responsive to the client’s unique journey. When done well, goals become not just a map for therapy but a source of hope, clarity, and empowerment for our clients—and for us as clinicians, too.

What’s your go-to strategy for practicing goal-setting? I’d love to hear your thoughts.