15 Activities for Clients Who Don’t Want to Talk

Talking is only one way to participate in therapy. A client may not want to speak because they feel overwhelmed, mistrustful, tired, ashamed, angry about attending or unsure where to begin. Silence can also be a boundary or a form of communication.

Before introducing an activity, acknowledge the client’s choice and clarify any limits related to safety or mandated care. Offer two or three options rather than an endless menu, and make “none of these today” a genuine possibility.

1. Write Instead of Speak

Offer paper, a whiteboard or a secure digital format for the client to write what they want you to know. They may hand it over, keep it private or use it only to organise thoughts. Do not assume written disclosure is easier for everyone.

2. Point to a Feeling

Use an emotion wheel or simple word list and invite the client to point rather than explain. Ask permission before following up: “Would it be okay if I asked one question about that, or should we leave it there?”

3. Use a Number Scale

Ask for a number using fingers, a card or a mark on paper. Rate distress, energy, willingness to continue or sense of safety. Define the scale together so the number has shared meaning.

4. Image Selection

Spread out neutral images and ask the client to choose one that matches the present moment. They can indicate particular colours, shapes or distances without relating it directly to personal events. Avoid analysing the image for them.

5. Side-by-Side Activity

Complete a simple puzzle, drawing task, card sort or sensory activity while sitting beside rather than directly opposite the client. Shared attention can reduce interpersonal intensity and allow conversation to emerge incidentally.

6. Make a Session Playlist

Ask the client to choose from a short menu: quiet, grounding, practical problem-solving, learning a skill, planning, drawing or ending early where appropriate. A session can still be collaborative even when few words are used.

7. Sort “Yes, No, Maybe” Cards

Present statements about goals, concerns, supports or therapy preferences and invite the client to sort them into yes, no and maybe. Include blank cards. Review only the cards they give permission to discuss.

8. Body Outline Check-In

Provide a body outline and invite the client to mark areas of tension, numbness, restlessness or calm using colours or symbols. Offer grounding if body attention increases distress, and do not require interpretation.

9. Objects as Metaphors

Place several ordinary objects on the table and ask whether one represents the problem, a support or what the client needs today. The client can position objects without speaking. Ask what meaning they assign rather than supplying your own.

10. Private Journal Minute

Set a short timer for private writing or drawing. Make clear that the page belongs to the client and will not be read unless they choose to share it. Afterwards, ask whether they want to keep writing, shift activities or talk.

11. Coping Demonstration

Instead of discussing coping, practise one brief skill together: paced breathing, orienting to the room, stretching or using a sensory object. Invite feedback through thumbs up, sideways or down. Stop if the activity feels uncomfortable.

12. The Choice Board

Create a visual board with choices such as continue, pause, change topic, ask a question, pass and finish. Keep it available throughout the session. This can be especially helpful when speech becomes difficult under stress.

13. Parallel Drawing

Both therapist and client draw separately from the same neutral prompt, such as “a safe place” or “today as a shape.” Sharing is optional. The therapist should avoid turning their drawing into self-disclosure that burdens the client.

14. Practical Planning

Offer to work silently or minimally on a concrete task: organising the week, breaking down a difficult phone call or building a sleep routine. Action-focused support may feel more tolerable than emotional exploration.

15. Feedback Without Words

At the end, invite the client to circle: more of this, less of this, same next time or not sure. Include space to write privately. Demonstrating that feedback changes the next session helps build trust.

Respect the Silence and Stay Clinically Present

Not forcing conversation does not mean withdrawing therapeutic attention. The therapist can remain warm, transparent and responsive while offering non-verbal routes into assessment, regulation and collaborative planning. If the client’s silence may indicate acute risk, dissociation, coercion or another urgent concern, follow appropriate clinical and safeguarding procedures while communicating as clearly and respectfully as possible.