Which of the following are examples of questions that are helpful and appropriate in client conversations?

• A. Why did you do that?
• B. Is this true?
• C. Could you tell me a little about yourself
• D. Did you understand the instructions?

Answer: (C)

Opening conversations with open-ended, client-centered questions encourages sharing and builds rapport. A prompt like “Could you tell me a little about yourself” invites the client to share relevant background in their own words, signals respect for their perspective, and sets a collaborative tone for the discussion. This approach helps you gather useful context for understanding the client’s situation and planning support.

In contrast, questions such as “Why did you do that?” can feel judgmental and put the client on the defensive, making it harder to open up. “Is this true?” is a yes/no check that can shut down exploration and imply doubt about the client’s account. “Did you understand the instructions?” can come across as patronizing or controlling and may hinder open dialogue. The open-ended invitation to share fosters trust, invites richer information, and supports a more collaborative helping relationship.