Support Person Preferences — Clinician dialogue

Invite and obtain permission

Offer: "Would it be useful to explore support person preferences using an ordinary or fictional example? We can adapt it, observe, or stop." Ask what the person wants from the conversation.

Elicit before teaching

Ask: "How does this show up, if at all, in your own words?" Offer this idea tentatively: Support is more useful when its form and limits are agreed. Ask what fits and what does not.

Guide the task

Create a menu of wanted support, unwanted responses, and ways to check consent. Ask for permission before giving an example. Use this fictional illustration if useful: Jordan wants a check-in call but not repeated questioning.

Reflect and check accuracy

Reflect only what was offered: "I heard you describe ___. What did I miss?" Ask: How will your support person know what helps? Avoid assigning motives or interpreting silence as agreement.

Respond to a mismatch

If the person rejects the frame, say: "Thank you for correcting it. What would be more useful?" Return to their language or choose a different approach.

Close with agency

Ask which observation, question, or support request the person wants to keep. Confirm a manageable ending and appropriate follow-up; do not turn a tentative possibility into a homework obligation.

Prompts for this resource

1. Readiness, permission, cultural context, and access needs to check:
2. How will your support person know what helps?
3. What would tell me to adapt, stop, or seek supervision?