I am going to start by assuming that your counter has an offensive component to it.
Your attacker does 'something.
'This 'something' forces a response from you.
And I am assuming that during your response, you are going to attempt to hit, kick back, or somehow strike.
And thus the pattern begins ...
You do.
Then Your opponent does.
Then you do.
Then your opponent does.
And so on.
So, how do you break the pattern, before it gets started? Respond with a counter that prevents your attacker from "countering back.
" Here are some suggestions: Force your opponent out of his (or her) typical "martial reaction.
"Your attacker has some nice, practiced ways to respond to any attack, including yours.
My advice is to destroy that comfort zone.
Prevent that typical reaction.
Jam your opponent with a good trap of some kind (Hand Immobilization), while you pound away and/or continue to kick.
Draw a response out of your opponent with Progressive Indirect Attacks, Attack By Drawing, or any other method you can think of that makes your opponent move the hand or foot where "you" want it to go.
Get your opponent while he or she is off balance.
Taking advantage of an opponent's stumble gives you an edge.
Destroy the rhythm that your opponent tries to maintain.
After all, your attacker hasn't read the good advice of moving with a purpose -- breaking the pattern should be easy.
All of the above suggestions are designed to make your opponent break from the practiced response.
Think of it this way.
Some martial artists aren't confident in what they do, because in a real martial encounter, nothing seems to work as planned.
All of their stylized movements and practiced techniques seem to go out the window.
Depression sets in.
Well ...
that's my goal for the bad guy.
I want him to walk away from the encounter (actually, he probably won't be too mobile at that point) thinking, "Nothing I did worked right.
It was a mess.
My techniques went down the drain.
I am never going to attack a bearded man again.
" You get the idea.
Everything your attacker tries makes it all the worse.
He blocks one of your punches, which opens up the perfect line for the punch you really wanted.
And he missed that you were kicking at the same time.
No counter to your counter there.
And if he thinks that he'll just ...
too late.
You have him locked down with a good trap.