Hi Robin,
Thanks for your comment (and question)!
Every once in a while we’ll get a client who wants something really specific, but that isn’t really therapy — such as your example with a client wanting a letter.
I (personally) will often write a letter upon request, but I tell the clients what I’m going to write–and it isn’t always exactly what they want me to write. For example, in this situation, I might write that I had spent exactly 1 appointment with the client, who reports stress and anxiety about visits with her father. However, I may also note that the client has no signs of a diagnosable psychological disorder, there is no evidence of child abuse, and that her relationship problem with her father might be a child-parental conflict common in teenager-parent relationships. I might suggest that while the client desires not to see her father, an alternative solution may be to have them participate in family therapy. —Robbin, this is all conjecture, as I don’t know the exact situation. As for “keeping” this client, it seem the only way that would happen is if she had such an unexpectedly powerful experience in the first session that she decided counseling was something she wanted to continue with (even though it’s clear, she wasn’t interested in ongoing sessions when she arrived). I hope this helps!!

Helen,
I think that is a good approach. Follow ups tend to be very helpful for counselors and clients. Client appreciate them! Counselors, on the other hand, often don’t do follow ups because their too busy, or feel uncomfortable with the idea (it’s a good idea to tell clients you will follow up by phone during the informed consent process).

Anyway, sometimes emails or letters to clients can help in leu of calls–but you’re definitely on the right track!!