What questions should a counselor ask a client

As a counselor, the questions you ask your clients are critical to understanding their issues and helping them find solutions.

However, asking the right questions requires skill, patience, and experience. In an online setting, where communication may be limited, it is even more crucial to ask the right questions with less repetition and brevity.

Here are some tips on what questions a counselor should ask a client to ensure a productive session.

1. Open-ended questions Start with open-ended questions that allow clients to share their experiences and feelings freely. Avoid asking questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, ask questions like “Can you tell me more about what brought you here today?” or “What’s been on your mind lately?”
2. Clarifying questions When a client provides an answer, it’s essential to clarify their response to ensure you have understood it correctly. For instance, if a client says, “I’m feeling down,” ask them to describe what they mean by “down.” Is it sadness, hopelessness, or something else?
3. Probing questions Probing questions are used to gather additional information or insights into a client’s situation. They encourage clients to think more deeply about their experiences and feelings. For instance, “What do you think has been the biggest contributing factor to your current situation?” or “What are some possible solutions you’ve considered so far?”
4. Reflective questions Reflective questions help clients explore their emotions and experiences in more depth. They can also help clients gain a new perspective on their situation. For instance, “How do you feel about that?” or “What do you think that says about you?”
5. Goal-setting questions Goal-setting questions help clients clarify their objectives and identify specific steps they can take to achieve them. For instance, “What do you hope to achieve through counseling?” or “What are some specific actions