Which technique promotes therapeutic communication?

• A. Asking open-ended questions to explore feelings
• B. Providing closed-ended questions only
• C. Interrupting to speed up the session
• D. Lecturing on a topic

Answer: (A)

Therapeutic communication is strengthened when you invite the client to share their inner experience in a way that keeps the conversation open. Asking open-ended questions to explore feelings encourages the client to elaborate, describe their emotions, and reflect on their situation. Because these questions can’t be answered with a simple yes or no, they promote richer dialogue, help you understand the client more deeply, and build rapport and trust.

In contrast, providing closed-ended questions only yields brief answers and can stall exploration, making it harder to gauge how the client is truly feeling. Interrupting to speed up the session disrupts the flow of conversation and can erode trust, signaling that the clinician is more focused on time than on the client’s needs. Lecturing on a topic pushes information from the clinician rather than inviting the client to participate and collaborate in problem-solving, which reduces engagement and may feel judgmental.

So, the technique that best promotes therapeutic communication is asking open-ended questions to explore feelings, because it fosters connection, invites fuller disclosure, and supports a collaborative therapeutic relationship.