Probing for Key Issues and clarity

Probing for Key Issues and Clarity Worksheet

The purpose of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the probing process. For each of the cases below, create an empathic response, develop two types of probes (one question and one statement), and provide a succinct summary as to how the probe might help the client move forward.

Once you have completed the worksheet, submit it in the assignment area by the designated deadline.

Case 1:

A young lady, recently hired, is discussing her feeling about her boss.

“The more I do, the more the boss seems to expect. He is never satisfied and is always finding fault. I have not been at this company very long and really do like my job, but the boss is difficult. I think I should start looking for another job because I cannot take it anymore.”

Empathic response:

Question probe:

Statement probe:

How might it help the client move forward?

Case 2:

Tina, a teenage girl, talks about her recent dramatic weight loss.

Tina said she is upset that her mother is constantly nagging her about her weight. She has lost 22 pounds recently, counts calories extensively, and works out vigorously every morning and evening. Tina says, “I am ‘fat,’ and I weigh myself several times each day.” Tina said she often feels offended and reacts defensively when her mother and father try to talk to her about her weight loss and eating habits.

Empathic response:

Question probe:

Statement probe:

How might it help the client move forward?

Case 3:

Tom is a resident in a halfway house and was recently released from prison.

Tom said, “I was feeling lonely because I was recently released from prison and didn’t have any friends in this city. So I wrote a letter to the mother of one of the other residents in the halfway house. Well, this was a big mistake, because she got offended and started calling me all kinds of names that were very negative and derogatory. I was just trying to make friends, but this backfired and now I feel worse than I did before this happened.”

Empathic response:

Question probe:

Statement probe:

How might it help the client move forward?