What if you discover things you don't approve of, don't like, don't know what to do with?

Are the things you discover giving closure? Or, are they inspiring you to look further?

"We are vulnerable. Knowing something causes thinking to stop."

This is a process of making a map of territory of concern to the client... map/model

Simply moving with what is said - this will be the way that many sessions or encounters begin. Prepare yourself simply to hear the words that come out. You will sense the impact on you of what is said but you need not form a response yet. At this point just tell yourself to move with the person to whatever and wherever the account takes you.

As you move with what you hear, see and sense, you will naturally form impressions and distinctions based on your own experience and understandings. These will raise questions. To discover the answers you can continue to move with the other person, now listening as well for answers to your questions.

With the impressions formed in your mind, and continuing to move with the description being given to you, you may want to put into words the questions which are in your mind. Using what you have learned to this point in your listening, decide how directive or non-directive you want your questions to be, begin your exploration by asking your questions. One purpose is to help the client tell the story in a way that will enhance needed changes and differentiate experience in a useful way.

At some point you may consider exploring How It Works as distinct from how the person
works the problem situation. Another useful strategy is to assess problem complexity in terms of Difficulties, Problems and Limitations

After asking a question, begin moving again through the sequence described above, then discovering, and further exploring, as needed.

Explore the SetUp - Upset - SetDown structure of these suggestions.