Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

What type of question is best for eliciting detailed responses from a client about their feelings?

1. Closed

2. Open

3. Ambiguous

4. Mixed

The correct answer is: Open

The best choice for eliciting detailed responses from a client about their feelings is an open question. Open questions invite clients to elaborate and explore their thoughts and emotions more deeply, as they cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." This type of question encourages clients to articulate their feelings in their own words, providing a richer understanding of their experiences. For instance, asking a client, "How did that situation make you feel?" allows them to reflect and respond in detail, providing insights into their emotional state and thought processes. This approach helps create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves fully. In contrast, closed questions typically limit responses to brief answers and do not facilitate exploration of feelings. Ambiguous questions can confuse clients, leading to incomplete responses, and mixed questions may dilute the focus, making it harder for clients to engage deeply with their feelings. Thus, open questions are the most effective tool for fostering meaningful discussions about emotions in a counseling context.