Circular Questioning: An Introductory Guide

This paper presents a simplified model that has been found to be useful for those learning questioning skills within the Milan systemic approach to family therapy as well as for those who simply wish to develop some skills in circular interviewing. The model begins with the premise that clients frequently describe a problem in terms that are either too broad or too narrow. The model has two categories of questions: those that draw connections and thus broaden a client's understanding of their context and those that draw distinctions and thus narrow a client's focus where generalisations predominate. The model is presented within the context of other models of Milan systemic questioning and the contributions they have made.