Which of the following are considered therapeutic techniques that encourage communication when interviewing a client?

• A. Summarizing, probing, defending.
• B. Silence, restating, broad openings, reflecting.
• C. Exploring, reflecting, listening to delusions and accepting them.
• D. Confrontation, advice, explaining, agreeing.

Answer: (B)

The ability to encourage a client to talk openly during an interview comes from using therapeutic communication techniques that invite exploration, show understanding, and support the client’s comfort in sharing. Silence gives the client time to think and may prompt deeper disclosure. Restating repeats the client’s words in a fresh way, signaling that you’re accurately hearing them and inviting them to elaborate. Broad openings are open-ended prompts that invite detailed responses rather than yes-or-no answers. Reflecting mirrors the client’s feelings or content, helping them feel understood and explored.

Together, these techniques promote a collaborative, client-centered dialogue, which is essential for gathering information and supporting the client’s emotional processing. Other options include methods like probing (which can feel intrusive), defending (which shuts down conversation), or giving advice and explanations (which shifts control away from the client). Also, simply listening to delusions and accepting them isn’t appropriate because it can reinforce false beliefs rather than assess reality and safety.