How to conduct a therapeutic interview

Level	Responses	Questions
Experiences The environment What the client thinks during specific circumstances How the client acts in reaction to them The client’s reflection of the facts of his or her story may be open-ended fragmented unpredictable As the story unfolds situations clarify Initial steps 1.    communication 2.    understanding Counsellor must attend encourage connect share similar experiences Client encouragement client should do the majority of talking three feet of distance Counsellor should use encouragers open questions paraphrasing Encourage talking to go deeper to give meaning to relevant  issues so that the client feels heard understood Feelings verbal (fluent) unconscious expressed as talk body language often in relation to culture environment Meaning	Opening skills tell me more... encouragers open questions non-coercive inviting positive what is bothering you? why did you schedule a session? Minimal Encouragers utterances to urge the client to reveal more uh huh I see I am following you Shows counsellor   attention understanding is on track without disruption Paraphrasing sums up understanding (preferably as a question) to encourage client’s confirmation of it: I hear from what you are saying that you think... It sounds like... From what I can tell, you think... It reflects counsellor understanding of client’s thoughts relevant experiences Reflection of feelings are fully fluent responses to  the client that identify specific emotions (in relation to events and experiences) verbalize feelings to point to them objectively to then approach meanings careful use of thoughts vs. feeling vocabulary You feel <these feelings> Client response confirms correct feelings from impressions is disclosure Reflection of meaning Worldview/values from experiences life culture about self others world When expressing feeling, client will often return to superficial facts as they “feel safer,” possibly cyclically Summarizing statements focus facts experiences thoughts feelings meanings Summarizing types: Focus highlight issues keep on track Signal that material is absorbed move on with “story” Thematic reflects patterns places to return to that are certain to provide "inroads" to deeper meaning	Open Questions invite expression encourage the client to offer rich details less coercive for clients who are inhibited could you tell me about the <specific experiences>? Closed Questions obtain specific information (increased granularity) short factual How often many long strong Leading questions get to the underlying beliefs that create emotions  as a fluent message that is probably hidden, or unconscious

Citable reference (APA format)

Young, M. (2009). Learning the art of helping: Building blocks and techniques. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Merrill/Pearson.