The Science and Art of Asking Questions in Cognitive Therapy
Abstract
Background Questions underpin all aspects of therapeutic assessment and intervention and are a vital component of the clinical process. Over recent years frameworks have started to be applied to obtain a greater understanding of questioning formats and processes. Method This paper examines the use of questions in cognitive therapy (CT). An overview of the main types of questions identified in the literature is presented. In addition, we examine a range of client and therapist characteristics that may impact on the questioning process. Conclusions Asking questions in therapy is a complex, yet under-taught, skill. This paper provides a set of frameworks to assist in identifying helpful and unhelpful questioning skills. Thus the article has implications for further training and research.
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Socratic questioning sometimes requires adaptations to overcome the difficulties posed by the treatment of various psychopathological disorders, and OCD is no exception.
“Although Socratic questioning often positively influences the therapeutic process, it sometimes requires adaptations to overcome the difficulties posed by the treatment of various psychopathological disorders (James et al., 2010; Kazantzis et al., 2014, 2018; Overholser, 2011), and OCD is no exception to this clinical observation (Saliani et al., 2011; Saliani & Mancini, 2012, 2018).”
From TREATING GUILT-INDUCING SELF-TALK IN OCD WITH DRAMATIZED SOCRATIC DIALOGUE: A STEP BY STEP INTERVENTION (2024) · cites this paper as James et al., 2010
Cites
THE ROLE OF TUTORING IN PROBLEM SOLVING <sup>*</sup>
Wood, D., Bruner, J. S., & Ross, G. (1976) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.1976.tb00381.x · Cited by 8,851 · cited 2× · see citing works
“In a recent project examining micro-skills involved in the supervision of a neuropsychology case (James, Allen and Collerton, 2004), it was suggested that the notion of scaffolding (Wood et al., 1976) was a helpful way to understand how an instructor guided a learner within a learning situation.”
BackgroundMeta-Cognition and worry: A cognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder
Wells, A. (1995) · Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1017/s1352465800015897 · Cited by 866 · see citing works
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The Socratic Method in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Narrative Review
Clark, G. I., & Egan, S. J. (2015) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-015-9707-3 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Socratic questions with children: Recommendations and cautionary tales.
McLachlan, N. H., Eastwood, L., & Friedberg, R. D. (2016) · Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1891/0889-8391.30.2.105 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Saliani, A. M., Perdighe, C., Zaccari, V., Luppino, O. I., Mancini, A., Tenore, K., & Mancini, F. (2024) · PubMed Central · doi:10.36131/cnfioritieditore2023060104 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“…therapeutic process, it sometimes requires adaptations to overcome the difficulties posed by the treatment of various psychopathological disorders (James et al., 2010; Kazantzis et al., 2014, 2018; Overholser, 2011), and OCD is no exception to this clinical observation (Saliani et al., 2011;…”
Background
- Authors
- James, I. A., Morse, R., & Howarth, A.
- Affiliations
- Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- South Tyneside District Hospital (GB)
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Corresponding author
- James, Ian Andrew
- ORCID
- James, Ian Andrew
- Venue
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2009-11-19
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 83-93
- ISSN
- 1352-4658 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-1833
- OpenAlex
- W1975019778
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics
- Keywords
- cognitive therapy, therapeutic assessment, questioning strategies, client characteristics, therapist characteristics, psychotherapy training
- MeSH terms
- Art, Communication, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Professional-Patient Relations, Science, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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