No new material should be introduced or discussed during which stage of the counseling session?

During the closing stage of a counseling session, no new material should be introduced or discussed because this phase is meant to summarize what has been covered, reinforce key points, and develop a plan for future sessions or actions. In this stage, the focus is on consolidating the conversation and ensuring that the client has a clear understanding of the topics discussed and any steps they need to take moving forward. This is vital for maintaining continuity and ensuring that the client feels secure in the progress made during the session.

Introducing new information at this point can create confusion or overwhelm the client, as they may not be prepared to process additional concepts while concluding the session's previous discussions. Therefore, the focus on summarization and closure during this stage underscores its importance in the overall counseling process.