When trying to communicate with clients, oftentimes there are barriers that prevent effective communication. Nonverbal barriers include facial expressions, posture, voice, and physical proximity to the client, while verbal barriers include inherently destructive verbal responses and counterproductive patterns of communication.

Counterproductive patterns of communication are barriers that prevent effective communication with clients, and they contain these sub-categories:

1. Inappropriate use of questions
2. Inappropriate or excessive interruption
3. Dominating interaction
4. Fostering social interaction with a client
5. Passive responding
6. Parroting and overuse of phrases or cliches
7. Dwelling on the remote past
8. Inappropriate use of self-disclosure

Passive responding is a form of counterproductive pattern of communication that is never acceptable. A passive response is where the counselor replies slowly and ignores the opportunity to examine a subject that is important to the client. When a counselor allows this to happen, the client will notice that the counselor is not helping the client to overcome his/or her personal problems. Thus, the client becomes less sure of the counselor's abilities. To prevent passive responding from hindering the treatment sessions, it may be helpful to create a treatment contract prior to the start of therapy stating the exact responsibilities of both the client and the counselor.