Make no mistake about it; one of your very best professional friends is the question – why.
Perhaps the finest reason “why” is your best friend is that it doesn’t allow you to rest on your clinical findings, or clinical laurels if you will. It presses you to investigate clinical situations at a deeper level.
Observe those around you who smugly gloat at the clinical conclusions they have formulated:
“That client of mine is in denial!” Gloat.
“That client of mine is co-dependent.” Gloat.
“That client of mine is borderline.” Gloat.
While one is allowed a moment or two of felt contentment following an insightful formulation, some practitioners assume their less than stellar findings are the final clinical answer. Such arrived at finality has always been problematic in our field. The reason is the clinician will conduct no further investigations, assessments, or evaluations. Yet, as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, further client details are sure to be found.
This is, “why” stands as your best professional friend. It allows you to ask novel, fresh, and bright questions that just might lead to novel, fresh, and bright solutions.
