Here’s a detailed way to maintain control effectively: 1. Set Clear Boundaries Upfront At the very start of your professional relationship, establish and communicate the session limits clearly including duration, topics, and availability. 2. Consistent Reminders During Sessions Politely remind the client as the session progresses, especially when approaching the time limit. 3. Redirect Conversations When the client starts veering off-topic or pushing for extra time, redirect the conversation back to the agreed agenda or suggest scheduling a follow-up. 4. Firm but Empathetic Communication If the client consistently pushes boundaries, address it directly but kindly. 5. Use Policies and Agreements 6. Offer Alternative Solutions

If a client keeps pushing session boundaries, it’s time for a real conversation. Maybe the boundary was never clearly set—or maybe it wasn’t held. Either way, this is about more than time. It’s about trust, rhythm, and respect—on both sides. Circle means mutual agreement. So revisit what was agreed. Gently bring them back to it. “This is what we said, this is how I work best, and this is what honours both our time.” And if they keep pushing? You get to choose. Stay in Circle—or step away. Not every client belongs in your business long-term. Hold space, but hold your line too.

To maintain control when a client pushes session boundaries, start by clarifying expectations upfront in contracts or onboarding,outlining session limits, communication norms, and consequences for violations. When boundaries are crossed, respond immediately with calm, neutral statements that name the behavior without judgment, such as: “I notice we're going over time—let’s wrap up to respect our schedule.” Use “I” statements to reinforce your process (I structure sessions this way to ensure focus”) and avoid apologizing for limits. Enforce consequences consistently, like ending late sessions on time or redirecting off-topic conversations. If patterns persist, explore underlying needs with open questions to reframe the issue collaboratively.

When a client consistently pushes session boundaries, it's important to maintain control by setting and reinforcing clear expectations around time and scope at the beginning of each session, using gentle but firm reminders when limits are approached. Establishing a structured agenda, using time cues, and maintaining professional boundaries helps preserve the integrity of the session while still being empathetic to the client’s needs. If the behavior persists, it may be necessary to address the pattern directly and collaboratively explore the underlying reasons, possibly adjusting the format or frequency of sessions if appropriate.

I’ve faced this situation before, and I’ve learned that the key is to address it early and directly, but always with empathy. I make sure to clearly restate the session boundaries and explain why they’re important for both of us to get the best results. If the client keeps pushing, I gently but firmly redirect the conversation, reminding them of our agreed structure, and I’m not afraid to pause and renegotiate expectations if needed—because mutual respect is essential for a productive partnership.