What should you do if your client states: "Nothing helped. Nothing ever helps"?

• A. Avoid "yes-no" questions and use a continuum to assess what has helped more or less
• B. Ask a single yes-no question
• C. Stop therapy
• D. Change the subject

Answer: (A)

When a client feels that nothing has helped, the goal is to uncover specific factors that may have provided partial relief and under what circumstances. Using a continuum to assess what has helped more or less invites nuanced feedback, letting the client indicate which approaches or elements (techniques, homework, the therapeutic alliance, timing, or situational factors) were somewhat beneficial and where they fell short. This approach supports collaboration, preserves hope, and provides actionable data so you can adjust the plan rather than giving up or flipping to a yes-no judgment that masks complexity. By avoiding binary questions, you can explore patterns over time and tailor interventions to the client's unique needs. In contrast, a single yes-no question reduces complexity, stopping therapy avoids addressing the client's current distress, and changing the subject sidesteps engaging with their experience.