Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Which type of questions promote deeper exploration during a counseling session?

1. Closed-ended questions

2. Clarifying questions

3. Open-ended questions

4. Direct questions

The correct answer is: Open-ended questions

Open-ended questions are designed to promote deeper exploration during a counseling session because they allow clients to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in their own words. These questions invite elaboration, prompting clients to reflect more deeply and share information that may not come out with more restrictive question types. For example, when a counselor asks, "Can you tell me more about how that situation made you feel?" it encourages the client to explore their emotions and thoughts in detail, potentially uncovering insights that can lead to meaningful discussions and understanding. In contrast, closed-ended questions typically limit responses to a simple "yes" or "no," which can hinder in-depth exploration. Clarifying questions, while important, are mainly used to ensure understanding rather than to prompt deeper reflection. Direct questions may yield straightforward answers but often don't encourage the expansive discussion that can uncover underlying issues or feelings. Thus, open-ended questions are fundamental to facilitating a therapeutic dialogue that leads to greater self-awareness and insight.