In counseling a parent who blames themselves for their child's actions, which response is most therapeutic?

• A. That was your fault.
• B. You seem to be blaming yourself; tell me more.
• C. Your child is responsible for their own choices.
• D. You should not blame yourself.

Answer: (B)

When someone is blaming themselves, the therapeutic move is to acknowledge their feeling and invite them to talk more. Saying “You seem to be blaming yourself; tell me more” does exactly that. It validates the parent’s emotion without judging them, showing you’re listening and care about what they’re experiencing. The question invites further sharing, which helps them process the guilt and feel supported, rather than shamed or dismissed. This approach builds trust, reduces isolation, and creates a safe space to explore what’s behind the self-blame and how to cope going forward.

Other options miss this balance: telling them it was their fault shifts blame onto the parent; insisting they should not blame themselves dismisses their feelings; or stating that the child is responsible redirects attention away from the parent’s emotional experience and provides no support.