These words encourage clients to keep talking. When you must ask a delicate question, explain why for example, asking about number of sexual partners to find out about STD risk. Avoid starting questions with why. Sometimes why sounds as if you were finding fault. Ask the same question in other ways if the client has not understood.
Some clients are shy about telling their needs, purposes, or hopes.
Still, if you do not find out what they really want, they may leave disappointed. They may not follow instructions. They may not come back. They even may complain about the care you gave them. So it often helps to ask the client politely but directly what the client hopes for on this visit.