Do you feel upset?
This question is rather efficient as it addresses two key goals at the same time, first and most obvious, it appeals to the emotions of the person, therefore, allowing the latter to understand that feeling negative emotions is not a character flaw, but an acceptable phenomenon that can be dealt with. Besides, the question specified above helps get the respondent to speak openly about their feelings, therefore, launching the metacognition process. As a result, the person, who answers the question, becomes capable of not only recognizing their emotions properly but also identify specific patterns, in which their emotions occur. Consequently, a better understanding of one’s self becomes a possibility.
Is there anything that you are afraid of?
This question does not seem to be very effective, as it does not provide any means for the respondent to acknowledge the necessity of facing their fears, let alone confine in another person about them. There is no secret that fears are a very delicate issue; as a result, many people tend to avoid speaking about their fears. Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that, once being asked directly, most people will be unable to provide an honest answer to the specified question. Instead, it would be more acceptable to ask the participant of the analysis whether they would like to share the information about their fears with the nursing specialist.
Why did you tell a lie?
This question does not seem adequate as well. Most people, when being asked about the reasons for them to do something socially unacceptable, punishable, or simply wrong, are incapable of providing the right answer. It is hard to judge them, since, for the most part, people cannot identify the factors that affect their behavior, as well as locate the causes of the changes in their emotional state. The question concerning the reasons for a wrongful action may trigger a negative emotional response in the person interviewed; thus, it would be better to ask whether the person felt right when telling a lie. Thus, it will be possible to acquire more data from the respondent.
Do you need someone, whom you can trust with your secrets and thoughts?
This question is partially efficient, as it helps get the respondent to talk about the issues that they may feel the need to discuss. Raising the issue concerning the secrets and thoughts that may trouble the respondent is highly likely to convince the latter to confide with the nursing specialist in question.
The specified question, however, may trigger a major shift in the client’s mood once they feel that they are forced into telling about something very personal. Hence, the question needs to sound less provocative and more inviting for a discussion, i.e., “Do you often need someone to talk to?”
What do you do when you want to feel happy?
This question can be deemed as very efficient, as it not only helps discover more about the patient but also help the latter create and launch the mechanism of experiencing positive emotions. As soon as the respondent locates the memory that makes them feel happy, they will be able to identify its unique characteristics (i.e., the visuals, the aural elements, etc.). Consequently, next time, when needing to have a positive emotional experience, the patient will have to recall the specified characteristics or find ones in the environment that they are currently in (e.g., certain colors, scents, etc.).