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Useful open ended questions in therapy

Writer's picture: Deborah PleasantsDeborah Pleasants

Updated: Jan 27

When used appropriately, open-ended questions are a vital tool that can enhance and deepen the counseling process.


Asking questions in a non-judgmental manner, with genuine curiosity and warmth, is essential for building rapport. Creating a psychologically safe environment for the client to express themselves can help uncover the root of the problem. Encouraging clients to articulate their thoughts more completely not only boosts self-awareness but also fosters a sense of ownership over their emotions and decisions.


Effective questioning requires skill. The therapist must be careful to avoid inappropriate questions or imposing their own agenda. Timing, subtlety, and empathetic attunement, while following the client's lead, are crucial to effective questioning.





Person-centred questions

Person-centered questions are a particular and skillful technique for echoing back to the client what they have expressed. This approach ensures that the therapist does not dominate the questioning, as it is believed that the client is the expert.

It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried. It began to occur to me that unless I had a need to demonstrate my own cleverness and learning, I would do better to rely upon the client for the direction of movement in the process.- Carl Rogers

Client: I’m anxious.

Therapist: You feel anxious? 

Turn a statement into a question.


Client: From the things he has said and done, it is obvious he doesn’t care for me.

Therapist: So, things he has done have given you the sense that he doesn’t care?Translate clients’ statements of the truth into statement questions.


Client: I stopped myself from drinking by calling a friend.

Therapist: One of the things you do to stop drinking is to call friends?

Reflect behaviour that has helped a situation.


Client: I'm too shy to find a relationship. I'm afraid of being rejected.

Therapist: You'd like to be able to get into a relationship?

Recast a problem statement into a statement about the preferred future or goal.


Open-ended questions – an integrative approach

An integrative approach blends various modalities into the questioning process. Every client brings their distinct issues, contexts, circumstances, and vulnerabilities, which will react differently. Thus, a versatile integrative approach can be customized for each person. The questions below integrate different modalities:


What stood out to you from the previous session?

As therapists, we sometimes aren't aware of what has truly impacted the client. Reviewing the work together can help identify what resonates most with the client.


From everything you've mentioned, what is the key takeaway you want me to remember?

When a client has been discussing various topics extensively and you don't want to interrupt their flow, this question helps pinpoint the most crucial aspect to prioritize.


What are the pros and cons of that viewpoint?

By evaluating the positives and negatives, the client can assess whether a certain thought pattern is beneficial for them.


Is there a gap between how you behave and how you wish to behave?

This question encourages the client to examine if their actions align with their values and desired behavior. You can explore this and consider how to implement changes.


What's the worst that could happen? What's the best that could happen? What's the most realistic outcome?

These questions help the client consider all aspects of a situation. Often, contemplating the worst-case scenario reveals it to be unrealistic or manageable, reducing stress and worry.


What can you control?

Clients often feel powerless, so focusing on what they can control, rather than what they can't, can be empowering and positive.


How did you handle it last time this occurred?

This question can help the client realize they have overcome the issue before, encouraging them to tackle it again. It may remind them of tools and resources they possess.


If you were advising a friend in the same situation, what would you say?

Clients with a harsh inner critic often criticize themselves, yet they wouldn't speak this way to a friend or relative. This question encourages them to treat themselves with the same compassion they would offer a friend.


What is it like to express that?

When something significant is said, this question invites the client to deeply reflect on their words, connecting feelings to the expression.


If your feelings could speak, what would they express?

When a client struggles to articulate their emotions, reframing the question in a more abstract way can be beneficial.


What brings you joy?

For clients feeling lost or lacking purpose or enjoyment, this simple question can be highly effective. Some clients have forgotten what truly makes them happy.


What do you need?

This straightforward question can help clients, especially those who prioritize others' needs over their own, rediscover what they truly need, not just what they want.


What does success mean to you?

People struggling with perfectionism or feelings of inadequacy often tie specific values to their perception of success or failure. Exploring what success means and why can be enlightening.


What can you appreciate about your strengths, or what do others say your strengths are?

Focusing on gratitude and character strengths can help clients recognize their positive attributes and how to leverage them, rather than dwelling on negatives.


What are your three core values in life, and how do you enact them?

This question can be valuable for clients lacking direction or a stable sense of self. Concentrating on personal values can aid in identity development and self-empowerment.


Take a moment to tune into your body; what are you feeling right now?

The connection between body and mind is strong. Being aware of bodily sensations helps in understanding emotions better. From here, mindfulness can be employed if the client is outside their comfort zone.


As you say that, I notice you doing this....?

This can be particularly effective when using immediacy and interpreting non-verbal cues, especially if they don't align with what's being said.


I’m wondering, or I’m curious….?

This approach softens the inquiry and promotes non-judgmental exploration and reflection, making it highly effective.


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