When discussing common mistakes in asking questions, particularly in the context of developing helping

skills as outlined in "Developing Helping Skills: A Step-by-Step Approach to Competency" by Chang,

Decker, and Scott, it's crucial to be aware of the impact that the formulation and timing of questions can
have on the client or respondent. Here's how you might discuss these mistakes:

Multiple Questions at Once

Asking several questions at the same time can overwhelm the respondent and lead to confusion. This
practice can result in partial or incomplete answers because the individual may not be able to address all
the questions effectively. It's essential to ask one question at a time to give the respondent the
opportunity to provide a thorough answer.

For example: Instead of asking, "How do you feel about your relationship with your family, your job
satisfaction, and your hobbies?" break it down into separate questions to allow the client to explore each
area individually.

Closed-Ended Questions

Multiple choice and other closed-ended questions can restrict the respondent's ability to express
themselves fully. While such questions can be useful for gathering specific information, they may not
encourage deeper reflection or exploration of the issue at hand.

For example: Rather than asking, "Are you feeling sad, anxious, or angry?" which limits the response
options, a more open-ended approach like "Can you tell me about what you're feeling right now?" allows
for a broader range of emotional expression.

The Impact of "Why" Questions

Questions that begin with "why" can put people on the defensive, as they often imply that the
respondent needs to justify their behavior or feelings. This can be counterproductive in a helping
relationship where the goal is to create a safe and open environment for exploration.

For example: Instead of asking, "Why do you think you failed to meet your goals?" consider reframing
the question to "What do you think influenced your progress towards your goals?" This phrasing is less
accusatory and more explorative.