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What kind of questions should I ask a new patient to make them feel more comfortable?
Meeting someone new is never an easy thing, especially when it's someone being paid to learn as much about someone as possible and analyze their lifestyle and provide advice and/or help
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3 answers
Updated
Gena’s Answer
Hi again Chloe,
You make really good points here. It’s awful to feel like you are an object being analysed or some sort of case study.
I think a sign of good therapy is that the client doesn’t ‘feel’ they are being evaluated or assessed. Good therapy feels more like a purposeful conversation and collaboration. Ideally the client feels that the therapist is interested in them as a person (not as a case study). If the client does feel overly evaluated this is something that can be discussed openly. Hopefully the therapist can take the client’s feelings onboard and perhaps make some adaptations.
I think the attitude and characteristics of the therapist are more important than any specific question. Things like authenticity, genuineness, humility, empathy, curiosity and warmth assist others to feel more at ease. Sometimes empathic, encouraging and reassuring statements from the therapist are better than questions, so long as these are genuine and attuned to the client of course.
Gena
You make really good points here. It’s awful to feel like you are an object being analysed or some sort of case study.
I think a sign of good therapy is that the client doesn’t ‘feel’ they are being evaluated or assessed. Good therapy feels more like a purposeful conversation and collaboration. Ideally the client feels that the therapist is interested in them as a person (not as a case study). If the client does feel overly evaluated this is something that can be discussed openly. Hopefully the therapist can take the client’s feelings onboard and perhaps make some adaptations.
I think the attitude and characteristics of the therapist are more important than any specific question. Things like authenticity, genuineness, humility, empathy, curiosity and warmth assist others to feel more at ease. Sometimes empathic, encouraging and reassuring statements from the therapist are better than questions, so long as these are genuine and attuned to the client of course.
Gena
Thank you!
Chloe
Mustabsheera Vengus
GMBPsS 🎓 | Aspiring Psychologist | Behavior Therapist | Counselor | Mentor
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Mustabsheera’s Answer
Introductions and Personal Background:
"What would you like me to call you?"
"Tell me a bit about yourself and what brings you here today."
"Is there anything specific you would like me to know about your personal background or experiences?"
Concerns and Expectations:
"What are your primary concerns or symptoms that you would like to address?"
"What are your expectations for our time together?"
"Are there any specific goals you have in mind for our sessions?"
Medical History and Current Health:
"Can you provide me with an overview of your medical history?"
"Are there any medical conditions or medications I should be aware of?"
"How would you describe your current overall health and well-being?"
Previous Experiences and Treatment:
"Have you sought help for similar issues in the past? If so, what were your experiences?"
"What types of treatments or interventions have you found helpful or unhelpful in the past?"
"Is there anything you would like to avoid or do differently this time around?"
Communication Preferences:
"How would you prefer to communicate during our sessions? (e.g., talking openly, asking specific questions, writing down thoughts)"
"Is there anything I should know about your communication style or any specific preferences you have?"
Comfort and Boundaries:
"Are there any topics or areas that you would like to approach gradually or with caution?"
"Do you have any concerns or questions about confidentiality or privacy?"
"Is there anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable or at ease during our sessions?"
"What would you like me to call you?"
"Tell me a bit about yourself and what brings you here today."
"Is there anything specific you would like me to know about your personal background or experiences?"
Concerns and Expectations:
"What are your primary concerns or symptoms that you would like to address?"
"What are your expectations for our time together?"
"Are there any specific goals you have in mind for our sessions?"
Medical History and Current Health:
"Can you provide me with an overview of your medical history?"
"Are there any medical conditions or medications I should be aware of?"
"How would you describe your current overall health and well-being?"
Previous Experiences and Treatment:
"Have you sought help for similar issues in the past? If so, what were your experiences?"
"What types of treatments or interventions have you found helpful or unhelpful in the past?"
"Is there anything you would like to avoid or do differently this time around?"
Communication Preferences:
"How would you prefer to communicate during our sessions? (e.g., talking openly, asking specific questions, writing down thoughts)"
"Is there anything I should know about your communication style or any specific preferences you have?"
Comfort and Boundaries:
"Are there any topics or areas that you would like to approach gradually or with caution?"
"Do you have any concerns or questions about confidentiality or privacy?"
"Is there anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable or at ease during our sessions?"
Updated
Briana’s Answer
Hi, Chloe,
This is the type of skill that you will learn in graduate school as a training clinician, should you choose to get a clinical professional degree in psychology, social work, or counseling. This is about building rapport with your parient, competing patient intake, and assessing patient concerns and goals. This involves skills in active listening, facilitating attuned interactions (FAN), and responsiveness.
Try looking up "culturally responsive assement questions" or the FAN technique from the Erikson Institute.
This is the type of skill that you will learn in graduate school as a training clinician, should you choose to get a clinical professional degree in psychology, social work, or counseling. This is about building rapport with your parient, competing patient intake, and assessing patient concerns and goals. This involves skills in active listening, facilitating attuned interactions (FAN), and responsiveness.
Try looking up "culturally responsive assement questions" or the FAN technique from the Erikson Institute.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Chloe