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Choose a next step, not just a sentence

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First identify what is known: the person’s words, the event, and the response you observed. Separate that from your explanation. Ask what the approach directs your attention toward and what it might leave out.

Choose a response with a reason. It might be a reflection, a more active intervention, a practical adjustment, an assessment question, or a decision not to use a task. Consider the treatment agreement, the person’s capacities, and what the situation actually requires.

After responding, look for information rather than agreement. Did the person elaborate, disagree, become confused, try something new, or describe an effect outside the session? What alternative explanation remains plausible?

Respecting autonomy does not require clinical passivity. A therapist can make a clear recommendation, explain why, hear hesitation, and adapt the plan without disguising their view as a question. The challenge is neither to dominate nor to disappear.