Developing Helping Skills - Chapters 9 & 10
Seeking clarification is...
...a skills that involves using questions to invite clients to thoroughly explain their thoughts and feelings with more specific details.
Characteristics of people who are considered genuine...
...authentic, honest, and forthright. fully present, and natural.
Open Questions are...
...questions that a re broad and require more than one or two worded answers. They invite clients to think and reflect.
Closed-Ended Questions are...
...questions that can be answered with one word such as "yes" or "no."
If a practitioner is uncomfortable with silence, he/she can...
...try slowly counting to 10 and encourage yourself to be quiet for a whole 10 seconds...
Example of a statement demonstrating respect...
"You seem quite angry about how your boss has been behaving. It must be a tough place to work. How do you think that I might help you?" (validates the client's story and shows interest in his/her wants and needs).
Change this question so that it is NOT worded to inform or persuade the client - "Don't you think it is important for you to go back to school and complete your GED?"
"Since your goal is to get a job that pays an adequate salary, I'd suggest that you explore obtaining your GED. What are your thoughts about this?"
Example of a question that helps to determine how well the client is adapting to his/her circumstances or environment and if they are seeking community support...
"So you just moved here a couple months ago. I wonder if you have had time to meet people who might be helpful as you work on this problem?"
How can this closed-ended questions be changed to an open-ended question - "What do you like about school?"
"Tell me about some things you liked at school today."
Example of a question that focuses on empowering experiences...
"Tell me about something that you completed that seemed difficult"
Example of an open-ended question...
"What would your life be like if this problem wasn't going on?"
Example of a closed-ended question...
"When did this problem start?"
Example of statement/question used to explore the meaning of words...
""You mentioned that members of your family are often angry at each other. (pause). Will you give me an example of what happens when people are angry in your family?"
Example of a question used to inform or persuade clients about your point of view...
"Don't you think it is important for you to go back to school and complete your GED?"
Example of question to explore a client's strengths...
"How have you made it through the challenges you faced in the past?
Question that explore the basis of a conclusion drawn by a client who says, "Our family is just hopeless.?
"I hear that you are feeling discouraged. Will you tell me what has happened lately that led you to feel hopeless?"
Example of a question that helps to clarify stressors and their effects in a client's life...
"I know that you are working two jobs and still have trouble paying your bills. I imagine that it is an everyday worry for you...Tell me more about the challenges that you are facing...?
Example of a question that helps to determine a client's previous attempts to solve the problem...
"I know you are working on this problem by coming to talk to me...What other things have you done to try to resolve this problem?"
Example of a statement/question used to gain clarification about a client's possible struggle with depression...
"I understand that you are feeling depressed (pause). What is depression like for you?
Example of a question that helps to clarify the affect of the problem upon others...
"I understand that you are very troubled by the problems on your job. I am guessing that your challenges at work are affecting other people in your life? Will you tell me about others who may be affected?
Example of a question that helps to explore the history of the problem...
"I understand you haven't had this problem very long...When did this problem begin?"
Example of a practitioner inviting an opportunity for a client to focus on strengths...
"It sounds like you are feelings quite anxious and having trouble sleeping since these problems began with the man you are dating (pause). I'd like to change the direction for a few minutes and learn more about what is going well in your life.:
Possible reasons that clients may resist further exploration of an issue...
-clients may have experienced abuse or trauma and find it hard to trust others -practitioner is moving too quickly -practitioner is asking too many questions -trust is not yet established
Some areas to consider when thinking about a client's strengths, positive factors, capacities, and resources...
-past ability to manage or solve problems -Level of resilience -Support from friends, neighbours, community members -financial support -adequate schooling
Why is it important to check for understanding BEFORE asking questions?
Clients may feel that they are being "grilled" or "interrogated..."
BEFORE asking questions, it is important to...
Express understanding by first reflecting content, feelings, meanings and/or summarizing.
This has been described as a very useful tool for effective interventions...
SILENCE
