Therapy 101: Soliciting Feedback & Measurement

Why Soliciting Feedback And Measurement Is Important

  • Feedback is necessary to see what is working and not working for the client

  • Measurement is crucial to see if the treatment approach is working for the client (increase or decrease in symptoms)

Questions To Reflect On

  • How do I prefer to receive feedback from clients? Verbally? Written? Through a structured questionnaire? Or more open ended?

  • How often do I ask for feedback?

  • How often do I utilize measurement tools?

  • How do I respond when a client mentions they have no negative feedback for me consistently and everything is great?

  • How do I respond when na client mentions they consistently have negative feedback for me and things aren’t working?

  • What setting do I work in? Hospital? Agency? Private practice? Setting can dictate how strict or lax measurement tools and feedback is given and received.

  • How do I know clients are getting better if I don’t use measurement tools or inquire for feedback?

  • What’s my relationship to receiving constructive feedback? What happens for me when I receive negative feedback?

  • How do I continually check my areas of growth/weaknesses?

  • What are my areas of strengths?

  • How do I implement changes or edits to the client’s treatment when I do receive feedback?

Statements And Questions You Can Try Out

During intakes/first sessions

  • What has been your experience working with someone who looks like me? 

  • What’s been your past experience working with therapists?

  • What has been helpful in previous therapy?

  • What has been unhelpful in previous therapy?

After a session

  • Did we talk about everything you wanted to talk about today?

  • How was today’s approach for you?

  • Did you feel heard and understood?


Feedback

  • How comfortable do you feel bringing up conflicts and disagreements with me?

  • How do you typically handle and engage with conflicts and disagreements?

  • How comfortable do you bringing up feedback to me?


Resources

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Therapy 101: First Sessions & Intakes

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Decolonizing Clinical Supervision: Authenticity & Honoring Our Gifts