Good stuff guys! I think that it may be helpful to take the approach like we do with accredidation and financial aid. We approach it that we want to educate them so they can make an informed decision wherever they are looking.  That builds rapport that we are looking out for them. Asking them what they want to accomplish shows that we dont' have an agenda.

Sometimes I wonder if we have students that just give the details right up front because they are hoping that we won't be asking questions.  I know that I tend to not circle around and ask the big picture questions.  I just take students at their word when they give details on something.

I thought this was valuable as well. I think that when a student gives us those specifics, we just make the assumption that they have thought through everything to get them to that point.  Many times, when we do dig deeper, they come to realizations that they didn't know existed.

I agree with Skylar.  When a student uses a metaphor, it helps understand more of where they stand on something.  It is a way that they are expressing their trust in us, showing that they are comfortable letting us in to their thoughts on things.  I think for what we do, it is probably better for us to keep metaphors out of our part of the conversation and stick to reframing.  Just like we have to do with work jargon.