Trauma Questions to Ask Clients
Sensitive and therapeutic questions for mental health professionals to ask clients who have experienced trauma, helping facilitate healing while maintaining safety and building trust.
1How are you feeling right now, and what would help you feel safer in this moment?
Click to see why this works
How are you feeling right now, and what would help you feel safer in this moment?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Establishes safety and grounding in the present, which is essential before exploring traumatic experiences.
2What would you like me to know about your experience that feels important to share?
Click to see why this works
What would you like me to know about your experience that feels important to share?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Empowers the client to control disclosure and share what feels relevant, honoring their autonomy and pace.
3What coping strategies have you found helpful, and what makes them effective for you?
Click to see why this works
What coping strategies have you found helpful, and what makes them effective for you?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Identifies existing strengths and resources, building on what already works rather than focusing only on problems.
4Are there topics or situations that feel too difficult to discuss right now?
Click to see why this works
Are there topics or situations that feel too difficult to discuss right now?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Respects boundaries and establishes safety, preventing re-traumatization by moving too quickly.
5What does safety mean to you, and how can we create that feeling here?
Click to see why this works
What does safety mean to you, and how can we create that feeling here?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores the client's unique safety needs and collaborates on creating a therapeutic environment that feels secure.
6Who or what in your life provides support, and how can we strengthen those connections?
Click to see why this works
Who or what in your life provides support, and how can we strengthen those connections?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Identifies support systems and relationships that can aid healing and provide ongoing resources.
7What would healing or recovery look like for you?
Click to see why this works
What would healing or recovery look like for you?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Establishes treatment goals based on the client's vision rather than imposing external definitions of recovery.
8How do you experience trauma symptoms in your body, and what helps you manage them?
Click to see why this works
How do you experience trauma symptoms in your body, and what helps you manage them?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Addresses the somatic nature of trauma and identifies body-based coping strategies and sensations.
9What strengths and resilience have helped you survive and cope with difficult experiences?
Click to see why this works
What strengths and resilience have helped you survive and cope with difficult experiences?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reframes the narrative from victim to survivor, highlighting inherent resilience and capabilities.
10Are there times when you feel more grounded or present, and what contributes to that?
Click to see why this works
Are there times when you feel more grounded or present, and what contributes to that?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Identifies windows of tolerance and factors that promote regulation, which can be built upon in therapy.
11What do you need from me as your therapist to feel supported and understood?
Click to see why this works
What do you need from me as your therapist to feel supported and understood?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Invites collaboration in the therapeutic relationship and ensures the client's needs guide the treatment approach.
12How do traumatic experiences continue to affect your daily life and relationships?
Click to see why this works
How do traumatic experiences continue to affect your daily life and relationships?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores current impact and functional impairment, helping identify specific areas for therapeutic intervention.
13What parts of your story feel most important for me to understand?
Click to see why this works
What parts of your story feel most important for me to understand?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Respects the client's narrative authority and allows them to emphasize what matters most to them.
14Are there times when you feel triggered or overwhelmed, and what helps in those moments?
Click to see why this works
Are there times when you feel triggered or overwhelmed, and what helps in those moments?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Identifies triggers and existing coping mechanisms, building a crisis management and safety plan.
15What beliefs about yourself or the world have been affected by your experiences?
Click to see why this works
What beliefs about yourself or the world have been affected by your experiences?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores cognitive impact of trauma and identifies beliefs that may be targeted in cognitive processing.
16How can we pace our work together so it feels manageable and not overwhelming?
Click to see why this works
How can we pace our work together so it feels manageable and not overwhelming?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Collaborates on treatment pacing, ensuring therapy proceeds at a speed that feels safe and sustainable.
17What would you like to be different in your life as a result of our work together?
Click to see why this works
What would you like to be different in your life as a result of our work together?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Clarifies concrete goals and desired outcomes, making treatment focused and meaningful to the client.
18Are there cultural or identity factors that are important for me to understand about your experience?
Click to see why this works
Are there cultural or identity factors that are important for me to understand about your experience?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Honors the client's cultural context and ensures culturally responsive, appropriate trauma treatment.
19What gives your life meaning or brings you moments of peace, even if small?
Click to see why this works
What gives your life meaning or brings you moments of peace, even if small?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Identifies sources of resilience, meaning, and positive experiences that can be nurtured and expanded.
20How will you know when you're making progress, and what markers will tell you things are improving?
Click to see why this works
How will you know when you're making progress, and what markers will tell you things are improving?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Establishes client-defined success metrics and helps track meaningful change throughout treatment.
Best Practices for Trauma-Informed Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Prioritize Safety
Always establish emotional and physical safety before exploring traumatic material. Create a secure therapeutic environment.
Follow the Client's Lead
Allow clients to control the pace and depth of disclosure. Never push for details or force conversation about traumatic events.
Focus on Strengths
Balance exploration of trauma with recognition of resilience, coping, and strengths that helped the client survive.
Question Sequences
The Safety Establishment
The Strength Assessment
Common Pitfalls
Don't Rush to Details
Avoid pushing for graphic details of traumatic events. Focus on impact, meaning, and healing rather than re-living trauma.
Don't Pathologize Normal Reactions
Recognize that trauma responses are normal reactions to abnormal events, not signs of weakness or dysfunction.
Don't Ignore Cultural Context
Understand how culture, identity, and systemic factors shape trauma experiences and healing processes.