Which of the following are examples of helpful and appropriate questions to ask a client?

The choice of asking a client to share a little about themselves is an effective approach in a human services context. This type of question encourages the client to open up and provides a platform for them to share relevant personal history, background, and current situations. By framing the question this way, it allows the client to guide the conversation based on their comfort level and what they deem important, fostering a therapeutic environment where they feel heard and understood.

This method is valuable because it can lead to deeper insights and the establishment of rapport between the client and the practitioner. When clients feel that they have control over what to share, they are more likely to communicate openly, leading to more effective support and intervention.

Other questions may not engage the client as effectively. For example, "How are you feeling today?" while it seems compassionate, can be too generalized, possibly leading to vague responses that don't facilitate deeper discussion. Asking directly about a "biggest weakness" can come off as confrontational or judgmental, which might discourage openness. Similarly, asking "Why did you come here?" may put the client on the spot and could feel pressuring instead of inviting, potentially impacting the therapeutic relationship negatively.