When a client discusses feelings of distress over personal issues, the counselor's immediate response should be to:

The appropriate response in this scenario is to assess whether the client is at risk of injury to themselves or others. This action is crucial because when someone expresses feelings of distress, it may indicate underlying emotional turmoil that can lead to harmful thoughts or behaviors. The counselor's primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of the client.

Conducting an assessment of risk involves actively listening to the client's feelings and exploring any indications of suicidal thoughts, self-harm tendencies, or potential harm to others. This not only guides the counselor's approach to providing support but also establishes a foundation of trust and care in the therapeutic relationship.

While encouraging conversation about feelings, discussing solutions, or offering reassurance about the commonality of the issue are all valuable responses in the therapeutic process, they do not take precedence over ensuring the client’s safety. If a client is indeed at risk, it requires immediate intervention, whereas discussing feelings or solutions typically follows a safety assessment. Prioritizing risk assessment aligns with ethical professional practices, emphasizing duty of care and the responsibility to act decisively when a client may be in danger.