Setting Goals and Tasks in the Working Alliance

Abstract

The author reviews skills for setting and developing attainable therapy goals and methods to achieve goal consensus. These goals should be determined in collaboration with the patients, should be in the patients’ best interest, and should address the patients’ problems. Once the therapist–patient dyad has established the goals of therapy, the therapist and client will need to collaborate on establishing the treatment tasks that will help patients achieve their goals. Finally, progress toward goals should be assessed and termination should be discussed from a goal perspective. Moreover, therapists should discuss plans for the future with their patients, including an invitation to return to treatment if the need were to arise, as well as possible referrals for additional help if necessary. The author presents clinical examples of how to develop goals and tasks in therapy.