Lesson 5.3 — Phrase Bank: Natural, Not Scripted
Use these as starting points, not compulsory wording. Adapt them to the patient and to your own speaking style.
Opening & Facilitation
- “Talk me through what’s been happening.”
- “What’s been the hardest part of this for you?”
- “Take your time.”
- “You mentioned ___ — tell me a little more about that.”
Exploring Concern
- “What about this has worried you most?”
- “I can hear that ___ is on your mind. What made you think of that?”
- “When you say you’re frightened, what are you most afraid might happen?”
Empathy
- “That sounds like a lot to be dealing with.”
- “I can see why that experience would make this feel more worrying.”
- “It sounds as though you’ve been carrying this on your own for a while.”
Explaining Reasoning
- “The reason I’m asking is…”
- “What I’m trying to work out here is…”
- “I’d like to check ___ because it would change what we need to do next.”
Sharing Information
- “Would it be helpful if I explain what I think may be going on?”
- “There are a couple of options. Shall we go through them one at a time?”
- “How does that fit with what you were expecting?”
Negotiating
- “What feels most difficult about that option?”
- “Given what you’ve told me about ___, I wonder whether ___ might fit better. What do you think?”
- “Is there a version of this plan that would feel workable for you?”
Respecting Refusal
- “I respect that you’re not comfortable with that at the moment.”
- “Would it be okay if I explain why I’m concerned, so you have the information before deciding?”
- “If you decide not to go ahead, can we agree what would make you seek help urgently?”
Closing
- “Before we finish, what questions are still on your mind?”
- “Can I check what you’ll do if ___ happens?”
- “How are you feeling about the plan we’ve made?”