Positioning
The way you position the seats inside of the room during the counseling session plays a part of the therapy. If you are sitting too far away from your client, he or she may feel a bit distant. Then if you aren't facing them, your client could feel uncomfortable. The best focusing technique for positioning chairs during a session is to align the chairs two feet apart, slightly off centered. This is considered to be positive positioning for a counseling setting.
Questions
As you are asking questions to your client, you shouldn't throw off your client. Don't be a machine, asking a whole bunch of questions. A great way to probe is to effectively ask questions that are deep. Asking about dates, names and other questions that scratch beneath the surface, could make the conversation more interesting, but it could be a distraction for you.
Mirroring
Another great focusing technique is to help the client focus in on a topic that you would like to discuss. You can do this by reflecting a statement or idea in your client's words. This will help you to get a truer meaning out of what is being said.
Confirming
Another great technique you can use as a counselor is to remain focused on the client. Don't try to lead him or her in a certain directing. Confirm that you are listening by nodding and accepting the conversation's flow without judgment.
