Couch Confessions

   Therapists often listen for key statements, or patterns of statements, as well as observe body language to identify:

What are we trying to discover?

What could be trying to emerge here?

What behavior is possibly being repeated or maybe being avoided?

Are there things that could bring more mental emotional connection or clarity?

Asking thought-provoking questions reveals more information than giving statements as often a client will agree with the statement but then you really didn’t capture the essence of their thoughts.

It can be tempting when a session, or conversation, seems to stall,  as someone struggles to find the right words, to give options. Often in attempts to  break awkward silence we might offer suggestions or ideas. However, and again, this disrupts the process of growth.  Allowing individuals to sit with their thoughts and search their mind for the essence of the what they are trying to convey can lead to much greater understanding of why they may be stuck and lend to opportunities to transform.