Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

What type of questions encourages clients to elaborate and provide detailed responses?

1. Closed ended questions

2. Clarifying questions

3. Open ended questions

4. Leading questions

The correct answer is: Open ended questions

Open-ended questions are designed to prompt clients to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in greater detail. These questions typically begin with prompts such as "how," "what," or "tell me about," which allow clients to expand on their responses without being constrained to a simple "yes" or "no" answer. This type of questioning encourages clients to think more deeply and reflect on their experiences, leading to richer dialogue and a better understanding of their perspectives. Open-ended questions are essential in therapeutic and counseling settings, as they foster an environment where clients feel safe to share more personal and intricate details relevant to their rehabilitation process. This approach can also help the counselor gather more in-depth information, which is critical for developing effective intervention strategies tailored to the client's unique needs. In contrast, closed-ended questions limit responses and may result in only brief or superficial answers. Clarifying questions seek to ensure understanding but don't necessarily encourage elaboration. Leading questions suggest a particular answer or direction, which can restrict the client's ability to share their own views freely. Thus, open-ended questions are particularly valuable in encouraging dialogue and deeper exploration of the client's thoughts and feelings.