Content
The content of the analysis will be based on the specific guidelines or questions given with the assessment information. For example, you may be asked to identify and evaluate the counsellor's:

• communication skills, e.g. opening a session and building rapport
• adherence to professional requirements, e.g. explaining  their position on confidentiality and record keeping to the client
• application of certain techniques, e.g. the use of counselling therapies discussed in the unit you are studying

You might also be asked to reflect on areas for improvement and future development. You might also need to transcribe parts of the dialogue to give as 'verbatim' examples. In all cases, you must use the theory from the unit you are studying as the basis of your discussion and analysis of the counsellor's skills. Each assignment has unique requirements, so always check the assignment instructions and marking criteria.

Structure
The analysis of a counselling session should have an introduction, a series of body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a reference list. Each body paragraph should explore one main idea and have a good balance of description, analysis and links to literature and theory. More information about writing essays can be found here.

Style
Try to avoid writing in an overly emotive or subjective way. Even though you are expressing your own analysis, you must convey this information in a professional style. Here are some examples of sentences that have been rewritten more professionally.

• The client complained that her kids were really naughty --> The client stated that her children were not well behaved.
• Even though the counsellor seemed unsure about digging deeper, her questioning was good. --> Even though the counsellor seemed apprehensive about probing, her questionning was effective.