How are you taking care of yourself today?

In counseling, one of the most common questions we get is about the therapy process—how it begins, how it ends, and what the in-between looks like. When I was developing my own approach, I found the start of sessions came naturally. I see it as a time to reconnect, check in, and reestablish rapport before diving into the deeper work. That rhythm felt intuitive.

What took more time to refine was how to end a session. The goodbye needs to feel organic, empathetic, and like a natural close to the conversation—especially when you only have ten minutes between clients. I began experimenting with different ways to gently signal that we were wrapping up, while still holding space for reflection and intention-setting.

That’s where my question, “How are you taking care of yourself today?” came in. It’s simple, but it invites clients to carry the work outside the session—into their week, their routines, and their own self-care. 

This question is often what clients remember most about our work—long after our sessions have ended. It offers a moment for reflection, a gentle invitation to consider their own needs and to see themselves as someone worthy of care—right alongside the many people they support in their lives.

The answers vary: sometimes it’s “I’m taking a bath tonight,” other times it’s “I’m going to talk to my coworker about boundaries.” No matter the response, it helps clients zoom out, prioritize what needs attention, and build a habit of intentional self-care.

I genuinely look forward to hearing how clients answer. It keeps us grounded in our goals while also making space for gentleness, compassion, and resilience in a world that can often feel heavy.