Concrete example?

Question

Present a concrete example of a time when it may be appropriate not to provide attention (attending behavior) to client talk.

Answer 1

One may not want to present attending behavior to client talk in either of two specific settings. First, if the counselor and client are engaged in a group setting and the client talk is between two group members who are off-topic (but less than disruptive) or in a individual setting when the client's talk is intentionally provocative. In either situation, attending behavior, even negative attending behavior, may unnecessarily disrupt the group flow or may strenthening undesirable client behavior/tension in the individual setting. The counselor always has the option of addressing the behavior at a later time.