Constructive Feedback
Constructive Feedback to Clients
Some Ideas
- Always base your feedback on the evidence that the client has given you in the present session.
- Do not guess at the clients meaning where you are not sure of it, do not exaggerate, do not be more optimistic than the client.
- Expressing your admiration of anything the client has done, or other positive feelings you have, is a very good idea - as long as what you share is yours, and is genuine.
Things to consider including in feedback
- Qualities the client has shown which are likely to be valuable to them in many areas of their lives - for example hope, endurance, humour, courage, resilience.
- Specific things which the client has done which can be identified as having moved them towards their goal. These will include identified exceptions to the rule of the problem, and existing achievements which have got them to where they are on the scale.
- The fact that they are coming along to counselling / group / meetings etc may show that they are willing to do something towards solving their problems.
- How the client has made use of, or worked in, the session / group / meeting. This might include compliments about honesty, straight talking, being realistic.
- Recognising that the client has tough times ahead - progress can be 'two steps forward, one step back' for example.
©Rob Cumming 2003. http://www.gethelp.co.uk
You are welcome to use this handout on a
not-for-profit basis on condition that all such use includes this notice and
attribution.