Type of questioning:
1. Positive questions:
All questions should be asked in a positive way.
Avoid accusing, sarcastic or threatening language or tone in your questions.
For example: “What exactly are you getting at? Could you get to the point.” Versus “I don’t understand what you are trying to tell me. Could you please try to explain it in a different way?” (This is an example of changing a “you” statement into an “I” statement.)
Remain supportive and non-threatening.
**A positive question is one that a client is not afraid to answer
2. Open Questions
Encourage an individual to talk and provide maximum information to identify causes and work toward solutions.
Usually begin with “how”, “why” or “could”.
Example: “Could you describe the kind of noise you are hearing?”
3. Closed Questions
Can be answered in a few words or sentences.
Are good for providing specifics.
Place the prime responsibility for talking on you.
Usually begin with “where”, “are”, “do”.
Example: “Are you alone?”
4. Probes
Sometimes the individuals we are speaking with offer little detail in their responses. Probes:
Ask for more details.
Usually following up on a response.
Example: “Tell me more about how you are feeling.”
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