Be aware of all situations

Some counsellors prefer to visit the client’s house. It keeps work out of the home, and some counsellors don’t like their home being ‘invaded’ by a succession of strangers. But going to a client’s home can have dangers, especially for female counsellors and with clients who may not be stable. It is wise to keep these appointments to daylight hours. Say:

In cases of clients whom you are worried about, take a friend or relative to sit in the car outside the house. Tell the client that you are being collected at 8pm.

A counsellor could be attacked in their own home. It is wise to sit near the door, rather than in the corner of a room where you might be trapped. Some organisations have an unobtrusive panic bell on the wall next to the counsellor’s chair.

If you are worried about a client in your home, make sure another person is in the house with you. Say to the client, ‘A relative is in the house, but they won’t disturb us.’

A third possibility is to meet the client in a public place, such as a busy park in the middle of the day, or in a café.

Finally, don’t take on a client who makes you really nervous. It is better to forgo the cash than put yourself at risk.