This is the first in a series on counselling questions. As a counsellor it can sometimes be difficult to ask a question which is not the same old, same old you always use. Although there are many ‘standard’ questions which are great to start a session with, or to use in the first few minutes, it is sometimes difficult not to repeat oneself over and over again.

So, here are 14 suggestions of ‘Desired Outcome Questions’ which have been expanded to assist with what they mean and hopefully a desired outcome.

However your counselling session is progressing, do not forget the basic tenets of therapy pioneered by Carl Rogers.

1. Unconditional Positive Regard.
2. Congruence.
3. Empathy.

These three core principles of effective counselling are paramount in fostering a supportive and transformative therapeutic environment.

Unconditional Positive Regard is the foundational belief that every individual deserves acceptance and respect regardless of their thoughts, feelings, or actions. This principle encourages clients to express themselves freely without fear of judgment. It helps create a safe space where individuals feel valued and understood, promoting self-worth and facilitating emotional healing.

Congruence, also known as genuineness or authenticity, refers to the counsellor’s ability to be genuine and transparent in their interactions with the client. When counsellors are congruent, they are honest about their own thoughts and feelings, which builds trust and encourages clients to be honest and open in return. This alignment between the counsellor’s inner experiences and outer expressions ensures that the therapeutic relationship is real and trustworthy.

Empathy is the counsellor’s capacity to deeply understand and share the feelings of their clients. By empathising, counsellors can connect with clients on an emotional level, offering comfort and validation. Empathy involves actively listening and responding with sensitivity to the client’s experiences, making them feel seen and heard. This emotional connection is crucial for effective therapy as it fosters a sense of belonging and support.

When these tenets are applied, they create a holistic and nurturing environment that empowers clients to explore their innermost thoughts and embark on a journey toward self-discovery and positive change.

---

Desired Outcome Questions

1. What are your best hopes from this session (or from counseling in general)?
   • Definition: This question invites the client to articulate their ideal outcome from therapy, helping them to set a clear direction.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client begins to envision positive change and sets goals for therapy. This fosters motivation, clarity, and engagement in the process. It also helps the counselor tailor the session to meet the client’s expectations and create a sense of purpose in their work together.
2. What difference would you like this session to make for you today and moving forward?
   • Definition: Encourages the client to identify specific changes they wish to experience as a result of the session.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client clarifies what they want to achieve, making it easier to measure progress. They also begin to see therapy as an active, solution-focused process rather than a passive experience. This can lead to a sense of empowerment and direction.
3. What would the person who suggested you come here hope would be different for you as a result of us meeting?
   • Definition: Encourages reflection on external perspectives, which may help the client gain insight into their situation.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client may recognise concerns that others have about them, fostering self-awareness. It can also help them see how their struggles affect their relationships and encourage them to consider making changes. This question can also validate the client’s need for support by acknowledging that others care about their well-being.
4. What would your closest friend hope would be different for you as a result of us meeting?
   • Definition: Helps the client explore how their struggles are perceived by someone who cares about them.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client gains an external, possibly more compassionate, perspective on their difficulties. It can also reveal areas where they may be undervaluing themselves or where they have support they haven’t fully recognised. This question might encourage self-compassion and highlight strengths the client has overlooked.
5. What differences would you hope happen in your life as a result of us talking today?
   • Definition: Encourages the client to set expectations for change and reflect on what they truly want.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client becomes more future-oriented and starts visualising concrete improvements. This question also encourages them to take ownership of their role in the change process and identify areas they want to work on in therapy.
6. What do you wish would be different as a result of you being here today?
   • Definition: Focuses on the client’s desires for transformation, emphasising personal agency.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client moves beyond venting and toward identifying solutions. It can also help uncover deeper, perhaps unspoken, hopes and desires that they haven’t consciously acknowledged before.
7. What do you think about your current situation and the possibility of change?
   • Definition: A broad question to explore the client’s perspective and beliefs about their ability to improve their circumstances.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client gains insight into their own mindset, including any limiting beliefs or self-doubt. This question helps the counsellor assess the client’s level of readiness for change and identify any obstacles to progress, such as fear or resistance.
8. If you did know the answer to your own struggles, what would it be?
   • Definition: A paradoxical question designed to bypass self-doubt and uncover hidden insights.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client taps into their own inner wisdom, often revealing solutions or strengths they didn’t realise they had. This question can build self-trust and help shift the client from a stuck mindset to a problem-solving approach.
9. If I asked the person in your life who knows you best, what do you think they’d say about what you need most right now?
   • Definition: Encourages the client to consider external perspectives that may provide clarity or validation.
   •  Expected Outcome: The client gains insight into their needs from a different perspective. This can challenge self-judgment or negative self-perceptions by introducing a more compassionate or realistic viewpoint. It may also help the client recognise unmet needs they weren’t fully aware of.
10. What do you imagine your future could look like if things improved?
    • Definition: A vision-building question to help the client create a mental image of a positive outcome.
    •  Expected Outcome: The client develops a sense of hope and direction. This question can activate motivation and create a more compelling reason to work toward change. It also helps shift focus from problems to possibilities.
11. If I had asked you this question at a time when you felt more certain, what would you have said?
    • Definition: Encourages reflection on past moments of clarity and confidence to reconnect with inner strength.
    •  Expected Outcome: The client recalls past strengths, resilience, or knowledge they have previously had but may have lost sight of. This can help rebuild confidence and create a sense of continuity between their past and future self.
12. What would you have said if I had asked you this question on the day you first called me to schedule this appointment?
    • Definition: Helps the client reconnect with the reasons they sought help, reinforcing their commitment to change.
    •  Expected Outcome: The client remembers their initial motivation for seeking support, which can re-energise them if they are feeling stuck or discouraged. It can also help track their progress by comparing where they are now with where they started.
13. If I had asked you this question when you were at your most hopeful and motivated, what would you have said?
    • Definition: Encourages the client to draw on their most optimistic self for insights and direction.
    •  Expected Outcome: The client reconnects with their potential, allowing them to tap into a mindset of possibility and strength. This question can reignite hope and help counteract negative thinking patterns.
14. What would you like instead of your current struggles or challenges?
    • Definition: A solution-focused question that helps the client define what they want, rather than what they don’t want.
    •  Expected Outcome: The client moves from problem-focused thinking to solution-oriented thinking. This helps create a constructive path forward and gives the therapist concrete areas to explore with them. It also empowers the client to envision alternatives and take action toward them.

---

In the part 2 we will look at history of the Outcome Questions.

---

Please note this blog is written in British English!

Please subscribe below. Let’s support each other. I always follow back.

© Richard J Kirk, writing as Joseph R Mason – 2025. If you want to know why, see:

About me…

If you like what you read, treat me to a coffee:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/josephiu

Thank you.