By:Jeffrey W. Dieters MA, RP
Clients look to therapists for guidance with problem issues they consider beyond self-management. The therapeutic dialogue represents a critical and decisive engagement that sets the stage for presenting narratives, defining issues, formulating goal-oriented outcomes and creating strategies that inspire motivated action. To underestimate the value, the stakes, or the potential outcomes of the therapeutic dialogue would be tantamount to culpable disregard – or perhaps even gross malfeasance– especially when clients report sustained problematic symptoms or terminate therapy prematurely. Therapists can enhance the therapeutic dialogue and improve client satisfaction by using probes, being aware of distorted listening, challenging client presentations, discerning reluctance and resistance behaviour, and developing empathy.
The Benefits and Risks of Using Probes
The intended purpose of probing is to gather any helpful information that will optimise goal formulation and increase the potential for successful outcomes. By using probes therapists can assist clients to “identify and explore opportunities…clear up blind spots…translate dreams into realistic goals (Egan & Schroeder, 2009, p. 150) and exhibit genuine interest in understanding every possible nuance of their multidimensional story. Probing questions create the opportunity to develop a more complete picture of the client’s story from which to formulate a therapeutic plan. Without pertinent information an action plan is incomplete. For example, knowing a client’s history of unsuccessful treatment completions may help in the selection of alternative treatment options. Other potential benefits include helping clients to fully participate, to be clear and concrete in presenting the problem situation, to disclose and describe perspectives and intentions, to unearth all relevant information, to consider other viewpoints, to navigate and stay focused on a change-oriented process, and to encourage the skill of challenging self while recognizing the benefit of being challenged (Egan & Schroeder, 2009).
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