Various techniques for responding to the client can be used not only in the initial building of a relationship with the client, but throughout the entire counselor/client relationship. Commonly used responses by counselors include:

1. Attending
2. Paraphrasing
3. Reflecting
4. Clarifying
5. Leading
6. Summarizing
7. Supporting
8. Approving
9. Confronting
10. Informing
11. Interpreting
12. Assigning tasks and contracting
13. Instructing

Supporting is a response that a counselor can use to show that he/or she has been listening to what the client is saying and does not believe his/or her thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are odd. The best time for a counselor to use a supportive response is when the client has intense feelings of concern, anxiety, frustration, or panic that need to be addressed.

An example of a counselor supporting a client would be the client remarking to the counselor "There is no way anyone is able to help me because I have so many problems. Drugs and alcohol are only a piece of the problem. I am on the edge all the time, but I don't know why. What's wrong with me?" The counselor can supportively respond by saying, "Right now you are feeling things that you do not grasp, as well as being tense and upset. People who have these kinds of problems find that talking to their counselor during treatment helps them to resolve their issues."