One of the biggest challenges in therapy isn’t just what to say—it’s how to create a space where clients feel safe enough to share. For many, talking about emotions is unfamiliar, intimidating, or overwhelming. Whether you’re a therapist, coach, or facilitator, helping people access and express their emotions is a key part of the work.

Here are 8 practical ways to encourage clients to open up and share their feelings, with and without therapy tools.

1. Normalize Emotional Hesitation—But Offer a Start

Some clients feel pressure to talk right away, which can create resistance. Acknowledge this openly:

“It’s completely normal if you don’t know what to say yet. We can take our time.”

However, not starting at all can sometimes make the client more uncomfortable. If silence starts to feel stuck rather than safe, gently offer a structured starting point:

• “Want to walk through your past week chronologically and see what stands out?”
• “If you’d like, I can ask a question just to get us going.”

The goal is to make silence okay—but remind them they’re not trapped in it.

2. Use Time to Open the Door

Rather than asking, “How do you feel?” (which can feel too direct or overwhelming), focus on moments in time:

• “Can you think of a recent moment that made you feel something strongly?”
• “If you had to pick a moment from the past week that stood out, what would it be?”

This approach works well with Emotions in Time cards. Clients can roll the time dice and pick an emotion card that connects to that time frame—past, present, or future. Focusing on a specific moment often makes it easier to access emotions than asking about a broad feeling.

3. Let Silence Do the Heavy Lifting—But Use It Intentionally

Silence isn’t just empty space—it’s full of information. Instead of rushing to fill it, take a moment to notice it together:

• “I noticed we got quiet after that last question—do you think something made it harder to answer?”
• “Are there certain topics or moments where silence happens more?”

If silence lingers and starts to feel like a block, use it as an anchor: “Does this silence feel okay, or like something is getting in the way?” Recognizing patterns in when and why silence happens can uncover hidden discomforts and help guide the conversation.

4. Shift the Perspective to Make It Easier

Talking about yourself can feel too vulnerable, so shift the focus slightly:

• “What do you think someone close to you would say about how you’re doing?”
• “If a friend were going through this, what would you tell them?”
• “What would your past self think of where you are now?”

This creates a sense of distance, allowing clients to access their emotions without feeling too exposed.

5. Give Them Something to React To

Some clients struggle to share when emotions feel too abstract. Having a third object can help make emotions more concrete—this could be a therapy card, an image, a song lyric, or even a simple object.

💜 Example using ‘Parts in Me’ cards: “Pick a card that feels like a part of you today. No pressure to explain why.”
Letting clients project onto something external before personalizing it can ease resistance.

6. Encourage Storytelling Instead of Labels

Naming emotions can be hard, especially for clients who don’t have a strong emotional vocabulary. Instead of asking, “What emotion are you feeling?”, encourage storytelling:

• “Tell me about a time you felt like this before.”
• “If this feeling was a scene in a movie, what would be happening?”

By focusing on narrative rather than labels, clients can access emotions naturally without the pressure of defining them right away.

7. Use Playfulness to Lighten the Emotional Load

Serious topics don’t always require a serious approach. A little humor or creativity can help clients feel more comfortable:

• “If your feelings had a theme song today, what would it be?”
• “What would your pet (or imaginary pet) say about how you’re feeling right now?”

Approaching emotions from an unexpected angle can help clients bypass their usual defenses and engage more freely.

8. Make It Okay to Not Know

Some clients hesitate to speak because they feel pressured to have clear answers. Reassure them:

• “It’s okay if you don’t know how you feel yet.”
• “We can explore together—there’s no rush to figure it out.”

By removing the expectation of immediate clarity, you make room for exploration instead of performance.

Final Thoughts

Encouraging clients to open up isn’t about forcing conversations—it’s about creating a safe, structured space where emotions can surface naturally. Whether through time-based prompts, external objects, silence, or humor, the right approach can make sharing feel easier, more comfortable, and even a little bit fun.

What strategies have worked for you? Let’s keep the conversation going! 💜