You must have filters through which to sift and organize all the "stuff" the client gives to you.

Most beginning counselors live in fear that their first client won't talk very much and they won't have anything to work with. This happens once in a while, but not very often. A much more common problem is having a client who does talk and gives you so much data you drown in it. A person cannot not communicate. The client is always sending off information. The counselor's biggest problem is figuring out what to do with all of it. I always tell my students this, but they never believe me—until after they see a few clients.