63. A student enters the school counseling office feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Using the solution-focused brief counseling approach, a school counselor asks, "During your better days, what are you doing that helps you stay on track, even when you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed?" This is an example of which of the following?
Answer: C
This is an example of a coping question.
The school counselor's inquiry about what the student does on better days to manage stress exemplifies a coping question. This approach focuses on identifying and utilizing the student's existing strengths and coping strategies.
A) A detailing question
A detailing question typically seeks specific information or clarification about a situation or experience. In this context, the counselor is not asking for detailed descriptions or explanations but rather for coping mechanisms, making this option incorrect.
B) A miracle question
A miracle question is designed to encourage clients to envision a future where their problems are resolved. It prompts the individual to imagine what life would look like if their challenges disappeared, which does not align with the counselor's current inquiry about existing coping strategies.
C) A coping question
This option accurately describes the counselor's approach, as it specifically seeks to identify the student's coping mechanisms during better days. The focus is on understanding what strategies the student employs to manage stress, fitting the definition of a coping question perfectly.
D) A scaling question
A scaling question involves asking clients to rate their feelings or experiences on a numerical scale, which helps gauge their progress or perceptions of a situation. The counselor's question does not ask for a rating but rather explores coping strategies, making this option incorrect.
Conclusion
The correct identification of the inquiry as a coping question is supported by its focus on the student's successful strategies during less stressful times. Other options, while related to counseling techniques, do not capture the essence of the question posed by the counselor, which is aimed at uncovering and utilizing the student's strengths to handle stress.