If a client appears to push you away, what is the most therapeutic way for the therapist to respond?

If a client appears to push you away, what is the most therapeutic way for the therapist to respond?

• A. Ignore the behavior and continue with sessions.
• B. Confront the client about the behavior.
• C. Explore with the client how this behavior could be serving him or her.
• D. Refer the client to another counselor.

Answer: (C)

When a client pushes away, the most therapeutic response is to explore how that behavior could be serving him or her. This approach treats avoidance as meaningful communication about the client’s needs, fears, or boundaries, and invites curiosity rather than judgment. By naming and examining what pushing away might protect—such as shielding from vulnerability, pain, or overwhelm—the therapist helps the client gain insight into their own process while preserving the alliance. This collaborative exploration can soften resistance and open space for the client to engage more authentically over time.

Ignore or continue sessions as if nothing is changing can undermine trust and miss important signals the client is giving. Confronting the client about the behavior can provoke defensiveness and damage the therapeutic relationship. Referring to another counselor ends the immediate opportunity for growth and is not typically therapeutic unless there are safety concerns or a clear mismatch in fit.