Barbara compliments her counselor with statements like, 'You're such a neat person... you are the reason I am feeling better.' What is the best counselor response?

Barbara compliments her counselor with statements like, 'You're such a neat person... you are the reason I am feeling better.' What is the best counselor response?

• A. I'm pleased that you see me in a positive light, but more important is the fact that you are feeling better because you are willing to work on yourself and do the things that are necessary for change.
• B. Thank you for your kind words.
• C. I appreciate your support; now let's focus on your progress.
• D. I can't help you if you keep flattering me.

Answer: (D)

Handling client compliments involves briefly acknowledging the warmth while keeping the focus on the client’s growth and autonomy. The best response does both: it accepts the positive feeling the client expresses, then shifts attention to the client’s own efforts and change. By saying something like recognizing you’re glad they feel supported and, more importantly, pointing out that their improvement comes from their willingness to work on themselves and engage in change activities, the counselor reinforces the client’s agency and the therapeutic progress. This preserves rapport, models appropriate boundaries, and keeps the work centered on the client. Other options miss this balance. A simple thank you is polite but doesn’t advance the session or reinforce the client’s active role in change. Saying the focus is now entirely on the client’s progress is better, but it’s still less direct about the client’s internal motivation and effort. Responding with a confrontational or shaming remark about flattery undermines the therapeutic alliance and can shut down openness.

Handling client compliments involves briefly acknowledging the warmth while keeping the focus on the client’s growth and autonomy. The best response does both: it accepts the positive feeling the client expresses, then shifts attention to the client’s own efforts and change. By saying something like recognizing you’re glad they feel supported and, more importantly, pointing out that their improvement comes from their willingness to work on themselves and engage in change activities, the counselor reinforces the client’s agency and the therapeutic progress. This preserves rapport, models appropriate boundaries, and keeps the work centered on the client.

Other options miss this balance. A simple thank you is polite but doesn’t advance the session or reinforce the client’s active role in change. Saying the focus is now entirely on the client’s progress is better, but it’s still less direct about the client’s internal motivation and effort. Responding with a confrontational or shaming remark about flattery undermines the therapeutic alliance and can shut down openness.