HSV203 Introduction to Counseling Professions: Unit 5 DB: Engaging New Clients, POST University, May 2025

 HSV203 Introduction to Counseling Professions: Unit 5 DB: Engaging New Clients 

Imagine you are meeting a new client for the first time. Your goal is to gather enough initial information to understand their current situation, identify their primary issues, and discover the resources they have available to address these issues. For each category, provide a brief explanation of why the questions in this category are important and how they will help you in the client assessment process. 

Develop a list of at least 3 open-ended questions for each required category that you would ask during the initial consultation. Organize your questions into three categories: 

1, Background Information - Questions to understand the client’s general context and history. 

Where were you born and where did you grow up? 

Do you get along with your family and siblings? 

What are some of your hobbies and interests? 

 

These questions are important so I can see what things might have affected the problems and how far back did they go. Also it is important to know what type of contact is being made with the public.  

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2. Problem Identification - Questions to pinpoint specific issues the client is experiencing. 

What problems are you experiencing that has brought you to my office 

How long have these problems existed? 

What would you like to get resolved? 

 

These questions help me to understand if the client is clear on what the problems are. These questions also help me to understand if the client has considered any resolutions or ways to clear these up.  

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3. Resource Assessment - Questions to uncover what resources the client has or can access. 

What other options and resources have you tried to resolve these issues? 

Have you talked to any other counselors regarding these problems? 

Do you belong to any groups who you also discuss these issues with? 

  

These questions help me to understand if the client has tried other options and what was the outcome of these attempts.