Types of Clinician Responses

Effective counseling is most often client-centered. The counselor waits to hear the issues the client brings to the table before responding. Counselors begin where their client currently is and directs them ahead from there.

The following interactions are brief examples of type of response a clinician may use in responding to a client in a counseling session:

	Content Response: Information is communicated which is factual, straightforward and brief.
	Counter Question: People often don't want advice, but seek confirmation of their position or decision. Clients often don't learn from advice and it doesn't promote their decision-making ability. Questioning a client's expressed beliefs is a means of helping them question themselves. Counter questioning moves the relationship beyond an initial or information exchange stage.
	Affect Response: Try to see the world as the client does and reflect their feelings back to them. Inaccurate reflection forces the client to clarify their position and your understanding.
	Reframing: Finding alternate perspectives that make an event seem somehow more acceptable. Good reframing should give the client a "jolt".
	Sharing Self: Sharing your personal insights and experiences enable the client to view you as human and imperfect, just as they view themselves; this usually results in enhancing the relationship.
	Affirmations: Being a positive sounding board for the client. "Having the power and wisdom to say nothing."
	Silence: A technique that enables the client to talk more; the implied expectation that the client is to continue talking.
	¬	Embarrassed Silence: In the initial stages of the relationship, establishes power; diminishes familiarity.
	¬	Changing the Topic Silence: While each party reflects on whether they have more to say on the current topic.
	¬	Reflective Silence: Follows an emotionally laden talk; time out to think.
	¬	Termination Silence: As time grows close to the end of the session.

Skillful use of these responses takes time and practice in order to master. Keep in mind, the goal is to find productive ways to facilitate the client's willingness to contribute to their own care.