Reflexive Questioning as a Means to Enable Intimacy With Couples

7/29/2019 Reflexive Questioning as a Means to Enable Intimacy With Couples

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Reflexive Questioning as a

Means to Enable Intimacy witCouples

By K arl Tom m M.D.


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Clinical Interviewing

As ses sment vs TherapyQues tions vs Statements

Statements set forth the interviewer s views

Questions bring forth the clients views

Complexities of linguis tic commun ication

Questions can embed statements

Statements can embed questions


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Dimensions in Questioning

Open vs closed ques tionsWho, what, where & how ques tions vs

why ques tions

Effects of questions & their ans wers

information conveyed to interviewer

altered expe rience of interviewee


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Dimensions in Questioning

(contd)

The interviewers power in the interv iew In formulating a question

The question defines the domain of a leg itimate

response

In the process of asking the question Contextual expectations

Impositional vs invitational manner

Conveyed by context, tone, cadence, non-verb

expressions, etc


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4 Major Types of Questions

1. Lineal ques tions Clarify sequences over time

Intent is to develop a sequential understanding

interviewer

2. Circular ques tions Clarify here and now situation and relationship

Intent is to develop a contextural understanding

interviewer


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(contd)

3. Reflexive ques tions Intent to influence client therapeutically

Open space for alternative meanings that are

healing or enhanced understanding that

supports wellness Selectively mobilize own knowledge and

competencies

Invitational (less impositional)


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(contd)

4. Strategic Ques tions Intent to influence client correctively

Close space to accept the interviewers views

prefe rred

Impositional (less invitational)


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Effects of Different Types of

Questions

Lineal ques tions Conservative effect on interviewer

Judgmental effect on both

Circular ques tions

Liberating effect on interviewee

Accepting effect on both


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Effects of Different Types of

Questions (contd)

Reflexive ques tions Generative effec t on client

Creative effect on clinician

Strategic ques tions

Constraining effect on c lient

Oppositional effect on both


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Types of Reflexive Questions

Future Oriented Questions

Observer Perspective Ques tions

Unexpected Context Change Questions

Embedded Sugges tion Ques tions

Normative Comparison Questions

Dis tinction C larifying Ques tions

Ques tions Introducing Hypotheses

Process Interruption Ques tions


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Sequences of Reflexive

Questions

Co-constructing hopeCo-constructing responsibility

Creating conditions for child acceptance o

a s tep parent

Deconstructing shame and gu ilt

Opening space for apology, forgiveness an

reconciliation


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Co-constructing Hope

A Working Definition of Hope Living a prefe rred future in the present

Sequence of Ques tions

Bringing forth prefe rences (interests, desires

and/or passions)

Opening space for future possibilities

Poss ible Complication

Fostering unrealistic hopes


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Co-constructing Responsibility

A Working Definition of Re sponsibility Living consistently with an awareness of

whether one likes or dislikes the consequence

of ones own actions


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Co-constructing Responsibility

(contd)

Sequence of Ques tions Search for positive intentions in taking action

Open space for awareness of a difference

between intended e ffects and actual effects of

actions taken Bring forth an awareness of ones own feeling

about the actual effects

Invite reflection on alternative actions


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Child Acceptance of a Step-

ParentBring forth an awareness of the effects of

the quality and s trength of the s tep

relationship on the partnership

Open s pace for an acknowledgment of

differential attachments between the childand s tep-paren t vs natural parent

Co-construct a m eans to promote growth i

the s tep relationship and dim inish the

parental imbalance in attachment


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Bifurcation Questioning

Exam ple of reflexive ques tions that

empower

A m eans to co-cons truct awareness of

alternativ es and self as agent in m aking

choices

A branching s tructure in the question

Past choices

Present options

Future possibilities


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Internalized Other Interviewing

Reflexive ques tions that deepenunderstanding of and empathy for the othe

Based on a view ofthe self as cons tituted b

an in ternalized community

A m eans to selectively disclose and affirm

anothers unders tanding and feelings abou

the relationship and the self


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Additional Reflexive Questions

Grounding Ques tionsExternalizing Ques tions

Interna lizing Ques tions

Agency Ques tionsRe-cons truction Ques tions

Audience Ques tions

Interpersonal Pattern Ques tions


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Additional Reflexive Questions

(contd)

Motivating Ques tionsRespons ibility Ques tions

Re-emotioning Ques tions

De-construction Ques tionsEndurance Ques tions

Self Reflexive Ques tions


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Family Therapy Program

University of Calgary

www.fam ilytherapy.org

Reflexive Questioning as a Means to Enable Intimacy With Couples

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