In order to help any client be successful in counseling, the counselor needs to have a clear picture of what the client wants. Treatment goals operationalize (describe in achievable ways) what a client wants from counseling. Setting goals with couples and family clients may be different than setting goals with individual clients. Often the individuals in couples and family cases have different goals; it is not uncommon for each person to think another person needs to change. In couples and family counseling, the goal includes everyone who will be actively involved with treatment, and everyone needs to be willing to work toward the goal that is stated. Depending on the model of counseling, goals may be based on the counselor’s perspective or the clients’ professed ...