Key Takeaways:
In offender coaching and case management, how you start a session can make or break its impact. Too often, we lean on autopilot questions like, “How’s it going?”—hoping to build rapport but instead triggering polite, surface-level responses. This is especially true with justice-involved clients, who may carry a history of guardedness, mistrust, and emotional suppression.
Effective coaching requires a different approach—building trust, fostering emotional literacy, and empowering clients to take ownership of their change journey. That’s where the Kickstart Question comes in: a deceptively simple yet powerful tool that shifts the dynamic from practitioner-led to client-driven.
Every practitioner knows the opening minutes of a coaching session, which sets the tone for everything that follows. Yet too often, these sessions begin with autopilot questions like:
While well-intentioned, these openers often yield surface-level answers that sidestep clients' deeper issues, especially in a justice-involved population where trust is fragile and self-protection is second nature.
For coaching to truly drive change, it must connect with what matters most to the client. That’s why a more powerful way to begin is with:
“What’s on your heart and mind today?”
This minor tweak does two critical things:
For many justice-involved individuals, this is an unfamiliar space. Years of surviving in harsh environments, navigating institutions, and facing stigma can lead to emotional shutdown. Even when they do share, responses like “I’m good” or “It’s whatever” can hide a more profound reluctance to trust.
The Kickstart Question isn’t just about gathering information—it’s a trust-building exercise.
When practitioners show genuine curiosity about what’s on a client’s heart and mind, they signal respect and empathy.
Over time, this approach can help dismantle the walls that offenders often build to protect themselves.
Many offenders struggle with alexithymia—difficulty identifying and expressing emotions. For them, questions about feelings can be disorienting or even threatening. Practitioners should:
Practitioners often assign homework or follow-up tasks—an evidence-based approach reinforcing learning between sessions.
However, these tasks shouldn’t overshadow what’s urgent for the client. If an offender walks into a session preoccupied with family conflict, housing issues, or emotional distress, that’s where the coaching should start.
Otherwise, the risk is compliance without engagement—a checked box but no real change.
At CorrectTech, we understand that practitioners juggle a complex caseload, tight timelines, and the constant need to document progress. That’s why our platform is designed to:
Using “What’s on your heart and mind?” at the start of each session might initially feel uncomfortable, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Remember:
Asking “What’s on your heart and mind?” bypasses the often automatic, surface-level response that “How’s it going?” typically elicits. Instead, it invites the client to share their genuine thoughts and feelings. This question creates a safe space for deeper emotional engagement, fostering trust and helping the practitioner connect with the client meaningfully.
If a client hesitates or struggles to answer, it’s essential to provide gentle prompts that normalize the experience. Try asking, “What’s been keeping you up at night?” or “What’s been weighing on you lately?”—these questions encourage clients to explore deeper emotions or concerns. Acknowledging that this kind of sharing can feel vulnerable helps build trust.
CorrectTech is designed to streamline and enhance the coaching process by integrating evidence-based coaching methods, structured session notes, and flexible frameworks. With CorrectTech, practitioners can capture both structured goals, like progress on specific interventions, and the client’s immediate needs. This balanced approach ensures that each session remains client-centered while aligning with best practices for supervision and rehabilitation. As a result, coaches can tailor each session to the individual's unique needs, promoting consistency and effectiveness in their work.
Not necessarily. Use your clinical judgment to decide whether this question fits the context of the session. For example, if the client needs to follow up on prior homework or there’s an urgent issue that requires immediate attention, it may be more appropriate to address those first. However, regularly incorporating the “What’s on your heart and mind?” question can establish a habit of starting with the client’s experience, reinforcing a client-centered approach. Over time, this practice helps clients become more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings, deepening the therapeutic relationship.
Absolutely. Emotions are a powerful driver of motivation. When clients connect with their feelings, they’re more likely to understand the reasons behind their actions, which increases their commitment to change. Emotions can bring insight into behavior patterns and highlight underlying issues that might be missed.
Effective coaching with offenders requires more than surface-level check-ins—it demands authentic connection, trust, and emotional engagement.
By starting sessions with “What’s on your heart and mind?”, practitioners can foster deeper dialogue and empower clients to own their change journey.
At CorrectTech, we’re dedicated to providing the tools and support practitioners need to make this happen—every session, every client.