V. An Interview with a Client The following is an interview between a client and a human service…

V. An Interview with a Client

The following is an interview between a client and a human
service professional who is employed at an employee assistance program for a
large business. Go through the interview and identify the type of response
being made by the helper (empathy, advice giving, information giving, offering
alternatives, confrontation, self-disclosure, modeling, open questions, closed
questions, affirmation or encouragement, collaboration, referral, summarizing,
or not ratableone response). Each response may have more than one answer.
Check the end of this chapter for

V. An Interview with a Client

The following is an interview between a client and a human
service professional who is employed at an employee assistance program for a
large business. Go through the interview and identify the type of response
being made by the helper (empathy, advice giving, information giving, offering
alternatives, confrontation, self-disclosure, modeling, open questions, closed
questions, affirmation or encouragement, collaboration, referral, summarizing,
or not ratableone response). Each response may have more than one answer.
Check the end of this chapter for the answers.

1. Client/employee: I woke up this morning feeling
depressed. My life is out of sorts, and Im not sure why. Do you think this is
something that will pass? HSP: So, it seems as if your depression just came out
of nowhere, and youre not sure whats causing it.

2. Client: Well, yeah. I guess I havent been real happy at
work lately. Ive been at this same job for 20 years, and it seems like I never
get promoted. All my friends get promoted, and I just make my little yearly
salary increases but never move up. Maybe Im just no good. HSP: Well, I hear
how youre not feeling real good about yourself and it seems to be at least
partly related to the fact that things havent worked out at your job as you
thought they might.

3. Client: Thats true. You know, maybe I should take some
courses and that would help me do better at work. What do you think? HSP: Im
not sure. But it seems as if youve had some ideas about how to change
yourlife.

4. Client: Yeah, Ive thought about going back to school,
quitting my job, looking for another job, and even just storming into my bosss
office and telling her what I think. HSP: What do you think about all these
different options?

5. Client: Well, I guess I have thought about at least
talking to my boss and asking her what she thinks I might do. That would be at
least a beginning. HSP: Do you feel good or bad about your relationship with
your boss?

6. Client: Well, I dont know if its either. Perhaps more
neutral. I dont really know her real well. She is not approachable, but maybe
Im not either. HSP: So on the one hand it might be difficult to talk with her,
but on the other hand you also see that maybe you havent made it easy for her
to approach you.

7. Client: Kind of. Maybe I need to talk with her to see
what the different options are for me. HSP: When you say options, Im unclear
what you mean. Can you explain that to me?

8. Client: Well, I guess I mean whether I should take a
course for credit, do some inhouse workshops, or maybe something else like,
like talk to my supervisor more and get feedback from her, or become more
active in the employees association, or something. HSP: Well, it seems as if
you have a lot of ideas that you can approach your boss with.

9. Client: Yeah, I guess I do. I hope I can do it. You
know, I get pretty nervous talking toher. HSP: I know you can do it if
you want to. I know youre capable of lots! 10. Client: Yes! I can do it. But
you know, this fear I feel with her, thats something I feel with a lot of
people in positions of authority. Like, take my church. You know, Ive been on
this fund-raising committee now for a number of years, and Ive had a lot of
ideas, but I never tell them to the chair because I think hes going to put me
down. HSP: So, you see this as a pattern in your lifethat is, this fear you
have of expressing yourself with people in positions of authority.

11. Client: Yeah, I think it goes back to the fact that my
parents, particularly my father, were really strict and always told me how to
live my life. I get so scared sometimes around authority figures that I just
dont know what to say or do. HSP: Well, youre bringing up some really
important issues for yourself. What are your thoughts about seeking out counseling
for this?

12. Client: It had crossed my mind. Especially because I
believe this issue is something that prevents me from getting ahead in my life.
What do you think? HSP: I know of some good helpers, and I know of an
assertiveness training group. I think considering some counseling might be
really good for you. But, Id like to know, what are your thoughts on that?

13. Client: Yes, I think so. HSP: I admire your wanting to
work on this issue. Here, let me give you the names of some helpers and a couple
of groups. [HSP gives the names.]

14. Client: I really appreciate this. Sometimes I think Im
never going to get through this problem I have. I guess I think that change is
really not possible. HSP: You know, I had some problems once in my life that were
really difficult for me, and I saw a therapist. It really helped me get through
it, and I feel much better about me now.

15. Client: Really? HSP: Yeah, it was really helpful. I know
you can move on in your life in a positive way and feel good about you. You
have all the ingredients in you to make this work.

16. Client: I hope so. I think this is a really good start.
Can I talk about one other thing? HSP: Sure.

17. Client: I notice that on some nightsnot all nights,
mind youI seem to drink a lot. I wake up in the morning feeling terrible. I
wonder if this affects my work performance. Ive been thinking about maybe
trying out an AA meeting. What do you think?

HSP: I hear your concern about your drinking and the fact
that you have been giving some serious thought to doing something about it.

18. Client: To be honest, sometimes I really think I go
overboard with my drinking. HSP: Well, it sounds to me as if you might have a
problem with alcohol and perhaps you should do something about it.

19. Client: Do you know of any AA meetings? HSP: Yep, let me
give you a list I have right here. You know, AA meetings usually last a couple
of hours and attendees anonymity is ensured. I have heard that people who go
to AA meetings are usually accepting of one another.

20. Client: Well, youve been helpful. I appreciate all of
what youve done for me. HSP: Well, thanks. I hear that you are ready to do
some important things for yourself. For instance, today you talked about some
concerns you were having at work relative to getting promoted, as well as how
this might relate to both issues with authority figures and your drinking.
Youve gotten some referrals from me, and it sounds as if youre seriously
thinking about following up on them. I think that its great that youre so
motivated, and I know you can make great strides. Maybe next week you can touch
base with me to let me know what youve done to follow up. What do you think
about all weve done today and some of the ideas we came upwith?