Open Questions
"I had a few meetings at work that took up most of my energy this week. I didn't really get to the gym like I planned, but I'm hoping to go tomorrow."
Open question?
"What's it like when being busy at work cuts into your free time?"
"I just feel so overwhelmed all the time lately. I can't seem to catch a break."
Swing question?
"Can you tell me more about that overwhelmed feeling?"
"Ever since the breakup, I don't really feel like myself anymore."
Indirect/implied question?
"I wonder what's changed for you since the breakup."
"I know I hate my job and I want to quit, but I have no idea what I actually want to do. I don't even know what I'm good at really."
Projective or presuppositional question?
"If you could have any job in the entire world and you didn't have to worry about money at all, what would you do?"
"We finally got around to fixing the leaky faucet in the kitchen. I also rearranged some furniture in the living room."
You choose!
Open: "What's it like to have these things at home taken care of?"
"My mom and I got into a huge fight, and I ended up leaving and staying at a friend's place."
Open question?
"What was the fight about?"
"I just keep procrastinating about my homework, and then I beat myself up over it. Then I end up just scrolling on TikTok for hours, and I don't know how to stop."
Swing question?
"Could you tell me about how you feel when you're thinking about the homework you need to do?"
"My mom has a new boyfriend. They've only been dating for a month, but he's moving in this weekend. She's done this before, but this guy seems better than the last one."
Indirect/Implied Question?
"I wonder how you're feeling about him moving in so soon."
"I just feel so overwhelmed all the time. I can't seem to catch a break."
Projective or presuppositional question?
"What if you could 'catch a break'? What would you do?"
You choose!
Swing: "Could you tell me more about how you were feeling at the dinner?"
"I just retired after working for over 30 years, and I thought I'd feel free, but instead I feel kind of lost. I didn't realize how much of my identity was wrapped up in my job."
Open question?
"How would you describe your identity without including your job?"
"We just moved here for my partner's job, and it's been hard starting over."
Swing question?
"Can you tell me more about how you've been feeling since you moved here?"
"My psychiatrist recently diagnosed me with ADHD, and it's kind of blowing my mind. So many things from the past are starting to make sense."
Indirect/implied question?
"I'm curious about what things from the past you're seeing differently now."
"I want to get into a new relationship, but I'm not sure how to make sure this one is better than the last one. I don't want to be in a toxic situation again."
Projective or presuppositional question?
"If you were in the 'perfect' relationship for you, what would it look like?"
"I had lunch with my cousin, and we talked about maybe planning a weekend trip together soon. It's just an idea and I don't know if we'll have time to get away from our kids, but it was fun to think about."
You choose!
Projective or presuppositional: "If you could go anywhere for a weekend with your cousin, where would you go?"