Questions to Ask a Child in Therapy
Gentle, age-appropriate questions that help therapists build rapport, assess emotional well-being, and create a safe space for children to express their feelings and experiences.
1How are you feeling today?
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How are you feeling today?
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Why this works
Simple, open-ended question that allows children to express their current emotional state in their own words.
2What was the best part of your day?
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What was the best part of your day?
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Why this works
Positive question that helps identify sources of joy and builds rapport through shared positive experiences.
3What was the hardest part of your day?
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What was the hardest part of your day?
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Why this works
Gently explores challenges while giving children permission to share difficult experiences in a safe environment.
4If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
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If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
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Why this works
Creative, fun question that reveals personality traits and coping mechanisms through metaphorical thinking.
5What makes you feel safe?
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What makes you feel safe?
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Why this works
Important for understanding the child's sense of security and identifying protective factors in their life.
6What makes you feel worried or scared?
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What makes you feel worried or scared?
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Why this works
Helps identify sources of anxiety and fear while giving children permission to express these emotions.
7If you had a magic wand, what would you change?
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If you had a magic wand, what would you change?
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Why this works
Fantasy-based question that reveals wishes, concerns, and areas where the child feels powerless.
8Who are the people you love most in your family?
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Who are the people you love most in your family?
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Why this works
Explores family relationships and attachment patterns while identifying key support figures.
9What do you do when you feel sad?
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What do you do when you feel sad?
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Why this works
Assesses coping strategies and emotional regulation skills while normalizing the experience of sadness.
10What makes you feel proud of yourself?
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What makes you feel proud of yourself?
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Why this works
Builds self-esteem and helps identify the child's strengths and positive self-perceptions.
11If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?
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If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?
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Why this works
Reflective question that can reveal insights about the child's development and self-awareness.
12What do you wish adults understood about you?
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What do you wish adults understood about you?
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Why this works
Gives children a voice to express their needs and helps identify communication gaps with adults.
13What do you do when you feel angry?
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What do you do when you feel angry?
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Why this works
Assesses anger management skills and helps identify healthy or unhealthy coping mechanisms.
14What makes you feel special or unique?
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What makes you feel special or unique?
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Why this works
Builds self-esteem and helps children identify their positive qualities and strengths.
15If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
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If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
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Why this works
Fun question that can reveal the child's needs, wishes, and areas where they feel powerless.
16What do you do when you feel lonely?
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What do you do when you feel lonely?
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Why this works
Explores social connections and coping strategies while normalizing the experience of loneliness.
17What makes you feel happy?
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What makes you feel happy?
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Why this works
Identifies sources of joy and positive experiences that can be used as coping resources.
18If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
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If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
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Why this works
Reveals the child's concerns and wishes while giving them a sense of agency and control.
19What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
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What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
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Why this works
Assesses stress management skills and helps identify when the child feels unable to cope.
20What would you like me to know about you?
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What would you like me to know about you?
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Why this works
Open-ended question that gives children control over what they share and builds therapeutic rapport.
How to Use These Questions
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
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