In the browser, just drag out a range from the start of the clip, and you’ll get a display of the changing duration (ctrl Y to see it At the mouse cursor) which is the same thing as a counter for the most part. When you get to their “in,” press I or add a marker. Then choose your out and press O or make a marker. Since your client is dictating in and out you’ll have to do markers then drag a Range between them. But in either case its simpler and cleaner than making compounds of all the clips.
But this is definitely the kind of lack of detail that leaves professional users underwhelmed. Whybcant can’t we have the TC window switch to just a counter?