As a pastor or counselor, how do you know when to stop counseling?

In my limited experience, the reason most counseling sessions end is indicator #4.

Someone engages the elders about a particular thorny issue, receives counseling, but doesn’t complete the homework or implement the recommendations. Instead, the individual continually provides excuses as to why he or she was unable to complete what was asked or claims he or she tried it and it didn’t resolve the issue (i.e. it wasn’t a quick fix).

I’ve also seen where a person comes to counseling just to unload all their problems / drama on the counselor (i.e. catharsis), but is not really interested in learning how to properly address or respond to the situations causing the drama.