The key technique that is used in nondirective, noncoercive intervention is asking open-ended questions.  Open-ended questions are questions that allow the patient/client to tell his/her story. Open-ended questions cannot be answered by a yes or no.  Examples of open-ended questions are:

▶       How do you feel about the pregnancy?

▶       Tell me about how your life has changed with this pregnancy.

▶       How do you feel about those changes in your life?

▶       What impact do you think having this child will have on your future plans?

▶       Tell me what concerns you have about this pregnancy.

▶       Who will be helping you as you go through this pregnancy and how do you feel about their helping?

Asking what will change when the baby is born can help guide the patient/client to think about how her life may change; the increased responsibility she may take on; or the ways in which relationships with friends and family may change. Each of these areas can be explored through the use of open-ended questions that are designed to help the pregnant teen make an informed decision.

In the video, you saw Rita asking open-ended questions to help Julie tell her story.  Examples that were shown included:

▶       “What’s getting in the way?” after Julie told her she can’t always fit in eating and sleeping.

▶       “What would it mean to you - to finish school?”

Asking open ended questions can be harder than it sounds.  Sometimes we ask what we think is an open-ended question, but we still find our questions elicit one-word answers.  There were a few examples when Rita’s questions could have been phrased in an even more open manner.  Consider how you might have asked a question in each of these examples that was more open:

▶       “So, what’s going on with your living situation?  You mentioned having to find another place to live.” 

▶       “Are there any other family members who might be able to help you out?  What about your parents?” 

▶        (When she learns of Gary’s interest in being a supportive father) “Oh.  Do you plan to raise the baby together?” 

▶       “What kind of relationship does he have with your kids?”

Possible re-phrasing of Rita’s questions