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The Science and Art of Asking Questions in Cognitive Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 November 2009

Ian Andrew James ,
Rachel Morse  and
Alan Howarth
Ian Andrew James*
Affiliation:
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, UK
Rachel Morse
Affiliation:
South Tyneside District Hospital, UK
Alan Howarth
Affiliation:
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, UK
*
Reprint requests to Ian James, Newcastle Challenging Behaviour Service, Newcastle General Hospital, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6BE, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background: Questions underpin all aspects of therapeutic assessment and intervention and are a vital component of the clinical process. Over recent years frameworks have started to be applied to obtain a greater understanding of questioning formats and processes. Method: This paper examines the use of questions in cognitive therapy (CT). An overview of the main types of questions identified in the literature is presented. In addition, we examine a range of client and therapist characteristics that may impact on the questioning process. Conclusions: Asking questions in therapy is a complex, yet under-taught, skill. This paper provides a set of frameworks to assist in identifying helpful and unhelpful questioning skills. Thus the article has implications for further training and research.

Keywords

Questioningcommunicationscaffoldingplatformspsychotherapy
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 38 , Issue 1 , January 2010 , pp. 83 - 93
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2009

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