Trauma-Informed Questions to Ask Clients
Sensitive and thoughtful questions to help you connect with clients who have experienced trauma, providing support while respecting their boundaries and healing process.
1How are you feeling today and what would be most helpful for you right now?
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How are you feeling today and what would be most helpful for you right now?
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Why this works
This question prioritizes the client's current state and gives them control over what support they need.
2What helps you feel safe and comfortable in our conversations?
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What helps you feel safe and comfortable in our conversations?
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Why this works
Understanding their safety needs helps you create an environment where they can feel secure and supported.
3What are your goals for our work together and what do you hope to achieve?
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What are your goals for our work together and what do you hope to achieve?
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Why this works
Learning about their goals helps you understand what they want to accomplish and how you can support them.
4What coping strategies have worked well for you in the past?
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What coping strategies have worked well for you in the past?
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Why this works
Understanding their existing coping skills helps you build on what already works for them.
5What are your boundaries and what topics would you prefer to avoid?
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What are your boundaries and what topics would you prefer to avoid?
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Why this works
Learning about their boundaries helps you respect their limits and avoid triggering topics.
6How do you prefer to communicate when you're feeling overwhelmed?
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How do you prefer to communicate when you're feeling overwhelmed?
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Why this works
Understanding their communication preferences helps you know how to support them during difficult moments.
7What support systems do you have in place and how can they help?
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What support systems do you have in place and how can they help?
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Why this works
Learning about their support network helps you understand what resources are available to them.
8What are your triggers and how do you recognize when you need to take a break?
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What are your triggers and how do you recognize when you need to take a break?
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Why this works
Understanding their triggers helps you avoid them and support them when they need to step back.
9What are your strengths and what has helped you get through difficult times?
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What are your strengths and what has helped you get through difficult times?
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Why this works
Learning about their strengths helps you build on their resilience and what has worked for them.
10How do you prefer to receive feedback and what approach works best for you?
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How do you prefer to receive feedback and what approach works best for you?
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Why this works
Understanding their feedback preferences helps you communicate in a way that's supportive and helpful.
11What are your self-care practices and how do you take care of yourself?
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What are your self-care practices and how do you take care of yourself?
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Why this works
Learning about their self-care helps you understand what they do to maintain their well-being.
12What are your hopes for the future and what do you want to work toward?
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What are your hopes for the future and what do you want to work toward?
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Why this works
Understanding their hopes helps you see what they're working toward and how to support their goals.
13How do you handle stress and what helps you feel more grounded?
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How do you handle stress and what helps you feel more grounded?
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Why this works
Learning about their stress management helps you understand what techniques work for them.
14What are your communication preferences and how do you like to express yourself?
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What are your communication preferences and how do you like to express yourself?
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Why this works
Understanding their communication style helps you interact with them in a way that feels comfortable.
15What are your concerns about our work together and what would you like to address?
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What are your concerns about our work together and what would you like to address?
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Why this works
Learning about their concerns helps you address any worries and create a more supportive environment.
16How do you prefer to handle difficult emotions and what support do you need?
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How do you prefer to handle difficult emotions and what support do you need?
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Why this works
Understanding their emotional processing helps you know how to support them during challenging moments.
17What are your values and what's most important to you in your life?
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What are your values and what's most important to you in your life?
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Why this works
Learning about their values helps you understand what drives them and what they care about most.
18How do you handle setbacks and what helps you bounce back?
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How do you handle setbacks and what helps you bounce back?
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Why this works
Understanding their resilience helps you see how they cope with challenges and what supports their recovery.
19What are your preferences for our sessions and what would make them most helpful?
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What are your preferences for our sessions and what would make them most helpful?
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Why this works
Learning about their session preferences helps you create an environment that works best for them.
20What are your questions for me and what would you like to know about our work together?
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What are your questions for me and what would you like to know about our work together?
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Why this works
This question gives them the opportunity to ask what they need to know and feel more comfortable with the process.
Supporting Clients with Trauma
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Trauma-Informed Care Principles
Prioritize Safety
Always ensure the client feels safe and secure in your interactions and environment.
Respect Boundaries
Honor their limits and never push them to discuss topics they're not ready to address.
Empower Choice
Give them control over their healing process and respect their decisions about what to share.