Expanding the Interventive Interviewing Framework with Contextual Questions,

Meta-questions, and Enhanced Awareness

Presentation at Therapeutic Conversations #10

by Karl Tomm MD

12 May 2012

Linear

assumptions

Circular

assumptions

Influencing

intentOrienting

intent

The original model of Interventive Interviewing (Karl Tomm 1987 & 1988)

Strategicquestions

Linealquestions

Reflexivequestions

Circularquestions

Interventive Interviewing in transition (Carsten Hornstrup et al 2005)Considerations for introducing some changes:

1. Despite the usefulness of the original framework, when applied in organizational coaching, the differences from therapy justified some adjustments

2. Strategic questions were re-labeled “action clarifying questions” to render them more acceptable and useful in organizational practice

3. Both past and future oriented (lineal) questions could be regarded as clarifying the client’s understanding of the present situation

4. The juxtaposition of contrasting theoretical paradigms that was inherent in the original framework gradually became apparent (objectivity vs constructionism)

5. If the whole framework was placed within a constructionist perspective, all four quadrants could yield useful systemic questions (the lineal vs circular dimension was no longer necessary when interviewers were embedded in constructionist thinking)

6. Contextual and meta questions, inspired by Bateson’s theory of mind, were increasingly included (in an ad hoc manner)

Traditional

Objectivist

Paradigm

Social

Constructionist

Paradigm

Orienting

intent

Linear assumptions

Circular assumptions

Influencing

intent

Two theoretical paradigms were inherent in the Original Model

The transitional model abandoned the objectivist component and expanded the constructionist portion of the original model

Objectivist

Paradigm

Constructionist

Paradigm

Constructionist

ParadigmInfluencing

intentOrienting

intent

Lineal

Circular

The original model The transitional model

Linear

assumptions

Circular

assumptions

Influencing

intent

Orienting

intent

Orienting

intent

Influencing

intent

FuturePast Present

The initial shift into a transitional model (Hornstrup et.al. 2005)

Linear

assumptions

Circular

assumptions

Influencing

intent

Orienting

intent

Orienting

intent

Influencing

intent

FuturePast Present

Name changes in the initial shift (Hornstrup et.al. 2005)

Strategicquestions

Action clarifyingquestions

Caseclarifyingquestions

Linealquestions

Orienting

intent

Influencing

intent

FuturePast Present

Hornstrup’s transitional model of Interventive Interviewing (Hornstrup et.al. 2005)

Action clarifyingquestions

Caseclarifyingquestions

Circularquestions

Reflexive questions

Expanded Interventive Interviewing (Hornstrup & Tomm 2009)Further considerations for elaborating a new model:

1. Our collaboration in drawing upon experiences from two different fields (therapy and organizations) seemed mutually enriching

2. Both axes could be redefined further to clarify the model and propose an overall sequence for the questions

3. If the (past) and (future) were placed in parentheses, it could become clearer that past and future questions were contributing to an understanding of the here and now systemic process in the present

4. All four quadrants of questions could be re-named to fit more closely with their actual use in practice (instead of using names that reflected theory)

5. Contextual questions could be elaborated in all four quadrants and seemed to warrant a whole second layer of questions

6. Meta questions could also be identified in all four quadrants to raise systemic awareness and be added as a third layer of questions

Orienting

intent

Influencing

intent

FuturePast

Present

A second shift (Hornstrup and Tomm 2009)

Systemic (circular)

co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Invitational (circular)

co-constructing intent

Present

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

3ARe-naming the dimensions

Situation

clarifying

questions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

3ARe-naming the 4 basic categories of questions

A summary of the re-naming process from the original model

• From lineal vs circular assumptions, to co-clarifying vs co-constructing intent

• From orienting vs influencing intent, to (past) and (future) in the present

• From linear or case clarifying questions, to situation clarifying questions

• From circular questions, to other perspectives questions

• From reflexive questions, to generating possibilities questions

• From strategic or action clarifying questions, to initiative clarifying questions

3C

situating questions

contextual questions

meta questions

Adding 2 layers: contextual and meta questions

Three layers of questions:

• The core layer - Situation focused questions are intended to clarify and explore the clients’ current understandings of their situation, and to generate new insights and possibilities.

• The second layer - Contextual questions are intended to enhance an awareness of the ‘bigger picture’ and how the situation is always embedded in, and influenced by, a larger context.

• The third layer - Meta questions are intended to encourage mindfulness of the process of the interview itself and to reflect on the effects of the questions, other possible questions, and what conditions, assumptions, and intentions guide the attention of both interviewer and interviewee.

Situationclarifyingquestions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

Contextualsituation

Contextualinitiative

Contextualpossibilities

Contextualperspectives

MetaInitiative

Metasituation

Metapossibilities

Metaperspectives

3C

The current expanded framework of Interventive Interviewing (Hornstrup and Tomm 2010)

Situation

clarifying

questions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

3AExamples of questions from the core of the revised model

Sample Core Questions• Situation Clarifying Questions

– What is your main concern at the moment? What is your understanding about how things came to this?

• Other Perspectives Questions– How would your colleagues describe your situation? What about

your best friend’s view?

• Generating Possibilities Questions– What is the outcome that you would prefer? What are some even

better outcomes that you could imagine?

• Initiative Clarifying Questions– How could you move towards those outcomes? On the basis of what

we talked about so far, what steps would you consider taking now?

Situationclarifyingquestions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

Contextualsituation

Contextualinitiative

Contextualgenerative

Contextualperspectives

3B

Examples of questions from the contextual layer

Sample Contextual Questions

• Contextual Situation Questions– What is the historical context out of which this situation arose? What

does the institutional, community, or cultural context say?

• Contextual Perspective Questions– If your situation were placed in a different context, how would it be

seen differently? What other context could shed a different light on the situation?

• Contextual Generative Questions – What kind of institutional or community changes can you imagine

that could enable you to move forward?

• Contextual Initiative Questions– What new precedents might be established in your community if you

acted on your new hopes/plans?

Situationclarifyingquestions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

Contextualsituation

Contextualinitiative

Contextualpossibilities

Contextualperspectives

MetaInitiative

Metasituation

Metapossibilities

Metaperspectives

3C

Examples of questions from the meta layer

Sample Meta Questions• Situation meta questions

– How do you feel about the questions I have asked so far? What further questions could I ask to help understand your situation?

• Other perspective meta question – Who else could I ask you about, who might hold a significantly

different view of your situation?

• Generating possibilities meta question – What else could I ask you about, that might help you stretch

yourself, to think outside the box?

• Initiative clarifying meta question– What else should I be exploring with you to clarify the potential

effects of the actions you are considering?

Situationclarifyingquestions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

Contextualsituation

Contextualinitiative

Contextualpossibilities

Contextualperspectives

3B

Differentiating questions within the contextual layer

Contextual Questions

• Physical level – re: food, shelter, space in home, office, environment, ecology, genetics, etc

• Relationship level – re: families of origin, friends, neighbors, mentors, social networks, etc.

• Socio-cultural level – re: race, ethnicity, cultural discourses, social injustices, financial, legal, ethical, spiritual, etc.

Contextual Situation Questions

• Physical level– What physical circumstances/limitations could be

constraining your current situation?

• Relationship level– What personal/professional/community relationships

might be contributing to your current stuckness?

• Socio-cultural level– What ideas/beliefs/assumptions/injunctions from the

culture could be oppressive or limiting your movement?

Contextual Perspective Questions

• Physical level– What other physical circumstances could have

influenced your current situation differently?

• Relationship level– What other possible personal or professional

relationships could have influenced your current situation?

• Socio-cultural level– What other ideas/beliefs/assumptions/injunctions from

the culture could influence your current situation differently (e.g. pro-justice)?

Contextual Generative Questions

• Physical level– What new physical circumstances might enable

constructive changes in your current situation?

• Relationship level– What new personal or professional relationships could

you imagine that would enable future possibilities?

• Socio-cultural level– What new ideas/beliefs/assumptions/injunctions could

you adopt that might liberate you and/or propel you forward into some future possibilities?

Contextual Initiative Questions

• Physical level– What specific changes in the physical circumstances

need to be implemented to move forward?

• Relationship level– Which personal or professional relationships will you

enter into to keep your momentum going?

• Socio-cultural level– Which ideas/beliefs/assumptions/injunctions will you

privilege and/or adopt to formulate and implement the policies you need to keep moving forward?

Situationclarifyingquestions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

Contextualsituation

Contextualinitiative

Contextualpossibilities

Contextualperspectives

MetaInitiative

Metasituation

Metapossibilities

Metaperspectives

3C

Differentiating questions in the meta layer

2 general types of meta questions

• To oneself– What questions should I be asking this client?– Why am I asking this particular question?

• To the client– Are these questions meaningful or relevant to

you and your situation?– What else should I be asking you about?

Meta Situation Questions• To oneself

– What else could I ask that could help us understand what is keeping this person stuck in this situation?

– What else could I ask to disclose further contextual factors/issues that may be oppressing and/or restraining my client(s)?

– Should I be asking additional clarifying questions here or is it time to move on?

• To the client– What else could I be asking you about that would help me

understand your situation more fully?– How do you feel about the questions I have been asking so far?– Would some questions about unfairness/injustice be helpful?– Is it OK if I move on now to other kinds of questions?

Meta Perspective Questions• To oneself

– Who else in this situation could I ask about that might have a different perspective to offer?

– What additional contextual factors/issues could I ask about to shed new light on this situation?

– Should I be asking more alternative perspective questions here or should I move on?

• Possibly to the client– Who else could I ask you about who would have a very different

point of view?– Whose perspective could I be asking you about that would help you

see another angle on your situation?– Could some questions from a social justice perspective add some

new insights?

Meta Possibilities Questions

• To oneself– What questions could I ask to open space for this

person to see things altogether differently and to generate new possibilities?

– What could I ask to open space for my client to potentially move forward?

– Should I be asking more possibilities questions here or should I move on?

• Possibly to the client– What else could I be enquiring about that would help

you create new understandings and possibilities?

Meta Initiative Questions

• To oneself– What could I ask this person to help clarify the next

steps to be taken?– Should I be asking about very small steps he/she could

take or a major jump forward?– What should I ask to draw attention to some potential

consequences for such action?

• Possibly to the client– What other questions could I ask you to explore further

initiatives and/or consequences of your proposed next steps?

A basic proposed sequence through the four quadrants

Situation clarifying questions

Other perspectives questions

Generating possibilities questions

Initiative clarifying questions

Situation

clarifying

questions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

Co-constructing intent

3A

Situationclarifyingquestions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

Contextualsituation

Contextualinitiative

Contextualpossibilities

Contextualperspectives

MetaInitiative

Metasituation

Metapossibilities

Metaperspectives

3C

A second proposed sequence: moving from the inside out

Situationclarifyingquestions

Other

perspectives

questions

Initiative

clarifying

questions

Generating

possibilities

questions

Co-clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

Contextualsituation

Contextualinitiative

Contextualpossibilities

Contextualperspectives

MetaInitiative

Metasituation

Metapossibilities

Metaperspectives

3C

Using the full expanded framework in a stepwise progression

A structured demonstration interview

• A volunteer interviewee is required for the demo.

• The volunteer will experience the direct effects of the different questions (observers will be limited to vicarious effects).

• The interviewee decides on the content issue for the demonstration: it could be a personal life situation, a work situation, or simply one’s current interest in this workshop.

• The pass rule applies, i.e. the interviewee is entitled to “pass” on any question to maintain his/her privacy (no explanation required).

• The interviewer will ask questions from each category in a systematic sequence.

• There may be brief interruptions to mark a move from one category to

the next, leaving the interview somewhat stilted.

Traditional

Paradigm

Constructionist

Paradigm

Orienting

intent

Linear assumptions

Circular assumptions

Influencing

intent

In summary, we encourage practitioners to use the Original Model to guide them towards privileging constructionist questions

When practitioners are able to hold a constructionist stance in the original model, they are encouraged to expand into the new model

Objectivist

Paradigm

Constructionist

Paradigm

Influencing

intentOrienting

intent

Lineal

Circular

Constructionist

Paradigm(Future)(Past)

Co-constructing

intent

Co-clarifying

intent

Yet, remain mindful of possible slips into an objectivist paradigm

Traditional

Paradigm

Constructionist

Paradigm

Traditional

Objectivist

Paradigm

Constructionist

Paradigm(Future)(Past)

Advising

intent

Actual Past

Co-constructing

intent

Actual Future

Discovering

intent

Co-clarifying

intent

Influencing

intentOrienting

intent

Lineal

Circular

Clarifying intent

(Past) (Future)

Co-constructing intent

Present

3A

Could a third dimension strengthen one’s groundedness in co-constructive/constructionist/systemic interviewing?

Obscurity

Transparency

Possible steps along a third dimension from ‘Obscurity to Transparency’

- Unaware of one’s own experience/perceptions/thinking

- Distinguishing one’s experience

- Questions to oneself

- Questions to oneself about one’s questions

- Questions to the other person

- Questions to the other about situations and contexts

- Questions to the other about others

- Interpersonal perception questions

- Internalized other questions

- Questions to the internalized other of an internalized other

Obscurity

Visibility/audibility

Calgary Family Therapy CentreDepartment of Psychiatry

University of Calgary

www.familytherapy.org

ktomm@ucalgary.ca