What would you say
Client: I don't want to talk about that
It sounds like this topic feels uncomfortable. We can go at your pace
Client discloses intent to harm someone but says don’t tell
Duty to report / protect overrides confidentiality. Be transparent about limits.
You’ve been dealing with so much lately, it makes sense that you’re feeling exhausted.
Validation
Advice Giving is sometimes necessary
Defend: Can support clients when appropriate
Challenge: Can reduce autonomy
You completely blank in session.
Be honest, pause, reflect, re-engage (Let me take a moment)
Client: Nothing is helping
It sounds really frustrating to feel like things aren’t changing despite your efforts
You run into a client at the grocery store.
Do not initiate contact; protect confidentiality unless client approaches
Given everything you’ve been dealing with, it’s understandable to feel unsure about what to do next, many people would feel that way in a similar situation.
Validation
Silence is uncomfortable and should be avoided
Defend: Can disengage some clients
Challenge: Silence can be powerful processing space
Client is giving one word responses
Name it gently, adjust approach, use different engagement strategies
Client: I feel like I'm failing at everything
That sounds really heavy, can you tell me more about what’s been making you feel that way?
Client sends you a friend request on social media.
Maintain professional boundaries, do not accept.
What has this experience been like for you?
Open-ended question
You need to build rapport before doing any intervention
Defend: Trust is foundational
Challenge: Some intervention builds rapport
Client becomes emotional and starts crying
Hold space, validate, don’t rush to fix
Client: You probably think I'm a bad person
I don’t see you that way, I'm really interested in understanding your experience.
A client asks for your personal opinion on a controversial issue.
Respond neutrally, redirect to why the client is there to see you, avoid imposing values.
So what I’m hearing is that you’ve been trying to manage everything on your own, and it’s starting to feel overwhelming.
Paraphrasing
Self-disclosure can strengthen the relationship
Defend: Can humanize worker
Challenge: Risk of shifting focus away from client
You realize you said something that didn't land well
Acknowledge it, repair, invite feedback
That’s okay, we can take some time to figure that out together
You feel strongly biased toward a client’s situation.
Engage in self-reflection, supervision, and ensure practice remains ethical
It sounds like you’re feeling really frustrated
Reflection of feeling
You should always remain neutral
Defend: Prevents bias
Challenge: Anti-oppressive practice may require taking a stance
Session ends but client brings up something big in last minute
Acknowledge importance, contain respectfully, plan to revisit next session