A lovely card in the post today from a recent client: "Thank you for your support. During those darkest weeks you were a real lifeline".

The words reminded me that very often it is enough just to be there and to listen, particularly perhaps when a client comes with what seems like an overwhelming problem and I feel almost as helpless as they do. At times like that it really doesn't matter what counselling school you are trained in or what approach you favour, the therapeutic relationship - creating empathy - is everything and enough for that moment. It is only necessary to be there and to contain the client ... and to continue that support from session to session for as long as it's needed.

I know that I often feel I have failed if the client doesn't seem to have got better, moved on, recovered. So it is good to be reminded that just being there can often be enough.