When engaging a disinterested client, I focus on building a connection by first understanding their underlying needs. I start by asking open-ended questions, creating a safe space where they can express their priorities without feeling pressured. Active listening is crucial—I reflect their thoughts back to them and ask follow-up questions, showing that I genuinely care about their concerns. Additionally, I research their industry to better understand the challenges and trends they face, which helps me connect their values to practical solutions. This holistic approach often sparks renewed interest and engagement. What strategies have you found effective?

Asking open questions helps to understand their needs and priorities. Listen carefully to their answers and observe what they care about most. Show genuine interest in their values and goals. Please encourage them to discuss past successes or challenges to uncover deeper motivations. You can re-engage them by building trust and offering solutions that align with their values.

Sometimes clients don’t engage easily, due to their secret fears, the last thing they volunteer to discuss, unless . . . You start there, in an indirect way! How: I have made it a major and initial piece of my assessment to learn about their Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), where most issues and strengths are born from. It has saved me months of work to get to their current challenges. But, warning ⚠️ unwrapping ACE history is like trying to de-activate a time-bomb! It can explode in your hands and even harm the client, unless you are deeply acquainted with trauma and how to handle it, with great sensitivity, compassion, and inner strength. Your faith in them, in spite of the present, may be their only source of strength at first!

Active Listening: Pay close attention to what they say and how they say it. Open-Ended Questions: Ask questions that encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings. Observe Body Language: Notice their nonverbal cues to understand their true emotions. Identify Pain Points: Understand what frustrates or bothers them. Connect Emotionally: Relate to their experiences and show empathy.