Guides for trainees

Short, practical answers for counseling, MFT and social work students: reflection of feeling, open-ended questions, first-session openings, and what to say when a client cries.

Reviewed by a licensed counselor (LPC). SeatTime is a practice tool where counseling students rehearse with fictional AI clients and get feedback. It is not therapy, not grading, not a competency assessment, and not a substitute for practicum or supervised hours.

• Open-Ended Questions in Counseling: 40 Examples

  40 open-ended question examples for counseling students—when to use them, weaker vs stronger wording, and how to practice without shutting clients down.

• Reflection of Feeling: 30 Examples for Counseling Students (Weak vs Strong)

  30 annotated reflection-of-feeling examples for counseling students—weaker vs stronger replies, why they work, and how to practice with fictional clients.

• What to Say When a Client Cries (and What Not To)

  What counseling students can say when a client cries—presence-first responses, weaker vs stronger examples, and phrases to avoid.

• Your First Practicum Session: What to Say in the First 5 Minutes

  A practical first-5-minutes script for counseling practicum students—openings, consent language, and what to avoid when nerves are high.

• How SeatTime practice works

  SeatTime is a practice tool where counseling students rehearse with fictional AI clients and get feedback. It is not therapy and does not grade or assess competency.

Frequently asked questions

Is SeatTime therapy?

No. SeatTime is a practice tool where counseling students rehearse with fictional AI clients and get feedback. It is not therapy.

Does SeatTime grade or assess competency?

No. Feedback describes what you did in a practice conversation. It does not grade or assess competency.

Can this replace practicum or supervised hours?

No. Practice here does not count toward practicum, field hours, or licensure. Bring questions to your faculty or site supervisor.

Who reviews the guides?

Reviewed by a licensed counselor (LPC). Clients in the product are fictional, and feedback is AI-generated.