Which of the following is an essential activity during the opening step of counseling?

Establishing expectations during the opening step of counseling is crucial because it sets the foundation for the entire counseling session. This involves clearly communicating what the counselor and the client can expect from each other, as well as the overall process. By doing so, both parties can enter the session with a shared understanding of the goals, confidentiality, and the structure of the interaction, which helps to build trust and create a safe environment for open dialogue.

This step also allows the counselor to outline any necessary boundaries and the scope of the session, ensuring that the client knows how their concerns will be addressed. Furthermore, it can help mitigate any anxiety the client may have about the counseling process by clarifying what will happen next, leading to a more constructive and engaged experience.

In contrast, creating a challenging environment, setting strict rules, or skipping small talk do not foster the trust and rapport typically needed for effective counseling. While some elements of small talk might be relevant to ease into deeper topics, it is not as critical as establishing expectations to guide the counseling relationship effectively.