Chapter 12 The Counseling Interview. © 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved....

Chapter 12The Counseling

Interview

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter Summary

Preparing for the Counseling Interview Structuring the Interview Conducting the Interview Summary

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Preparing for the Counseling Interview

Analyzing Self Know yourself before trying to help others know

themselves. Good problem solvers may be poor counselors. Do not stray beyond your level of expertise.

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Preparing for the Counseling Interview

Analyzing the Interviewee Be informed but keep an open mind. Be aware of past, present, and future events. Be prepared for rejections of offers to counsel. Listen rather than talk.

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Preparing for the Counseling Interview

Selecting an Interviewing Approach Directive Approach Nondirective Approach Combination of Approaches

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Preparing for the Counseling Interview

Selecting the Setting Do not underestimate the importance of location

and seating. A round table is a traditional arrangement for

problem solving.

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Structuring the Interview

The Opening Initial Comments and Reactions

Want to help and show it. Be tactful but not indifferent.

Rapport and Orientation Accept seemingly irrelevant opening comments. If you are uncomfortable, the interviewee will be

uncomfortable.

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Structuring the Interview

The Opening Encouraging Self-Disclosure

Self-disclosure varies from person to person. Work Within a Known Time Frame

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Structuring the Interview

The Body of the Interview Feelings play central roles in counseling

interviews. Counseling interviews rarely progress in an

orderly manner. Enable the interviewee to relate the problem.

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Structuring the Interview

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Structuring the Interview

Closing the Interview Involve the interviewee as an active participant in

the closing. Decide which leave-taking means is most

appropriate. Be sincere and honest in the ways you close

interviews.

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Structuring the Interview

Evaluating the Interview Review all you did and did not do and accomplish. How prepared were you for this interaction? Which skills need more work? Preparation,

structuring, interviewing, or counseling?

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STRUCTURING THE INTERVIEW

The Telephone Interview Advantages

Inexpensive Convenient Preserves Anonymity Gives Sense of Control

Disadvantages Possible Inconvenient Time Distractions

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Conducting the Interview

Listening Focus on the interviewee and the interviewee’s

problem. Do not interrupt or take over the conversation.

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Conducting the Interview

Observing Look for nonverbal signals but interpret them

cautiously. If you are taking notes, explain why. Note that deceptive answers may be lengthier,

more hesitant, and characterized by long pauses.

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Conducting the Interview

Questioning Do not ask too many questions. Keep your questions open-ended. Phrase all questions with care.

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Conducting the Interview

Responding and Informing Client-Centered Approach: Focuses the interview on the

interviewee. Highly Nondirective Reactions and Responses: Give

control to the interviewee. Nondirective Reactions and Responses: Inform and

encourage. Directive Reactions and Responses: Advise and

evaluate but do not dictate. Highly Directive Reactions and Responses: Dictate

strong advice and actions.

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Conducting the Interview

Responding and Informing: Tips Responses are more nonverbal than verbal. Silence has its limits. Use questions that force the interviewee to formulate

answers and solutions. Use questions to determine what a person is not saying. A thoughtless comment or two can damage a relationship. Exhaust all less directive means before dictating action.

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Conducting the Interview

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Summary

You take part in a counseling interview whenever you try to help a person gain insights into a problem.

Preparation helps to determine how to listen, question, inform, explain, respond, and relate to each interviewee.

Many suggestions but few rules apply to counseling interviews.