INTERVIEWING AND COUNSELING

INTERVIEWING

Interviewing is an information gathering process that requires the participation of both the
health worker and the service user {client}, and sometimes the support networks of the service
user in order to obtain a holistic picture of the client’s situation, which will inform intervention.

Counseling is defined as a face-to-face communication through a dynamic process of interaction

between two or more people during which the counselor helps the client to take decisions.

MEDIUM/CHANNELS OF INTERVIEWING

- Interviews are usually face-to-face

- conducted over the phone,
- through video calls, Skype, WhatsApp or other modern media.
In some cases, interpreters and chaperons may be needed, especially where the health worker and
client do not share the same language.
PHASES OF INTERVIEWING
Generally, interview follows three specific phases, namely, the opening, body, and closing. Each
phase provides the worker with a clear sense of purpose, and goal tilting toward problem-solving
1. The opening/initial/introductory phase
Professional practice with client and other systems is purposeful, goal-oriented, and systematic
in procedure. The beginning encounter with client has huge impact on the change effort. It sets
the stage for decision-making and contract agreement or sealing, and determines whether the
client will continue to seek the services of the health agency. Initiating an interview is
fundamental in any social work engagement with clients. Without interviews, suspicion and lack
of trust in the change process may ensue. In all engagement with clients, the health worker is
expected to apply proficient skills in the process.

2. Body/middle/developmental phase
This phase is the main thrust of intervention. It contains the bulk of intervention and all that is
needed to do are clearly spelt-out and pursued. Any engagement with the client is accompanied
with set goals to be achieved by both participants. The health worker explores the problem
situation to determine the direction of the problem-solving process. He/she explores using
questioning and probes, particularly open ended questions (can you describe how it happened?),
as against just closed ended questions (were you okay with what happened?). Effort is made at
this stage to gather and analyze the information generated about the client’s problem situation,
and put them into perspective.
3. Closing/final/concluding phase
The manner in which an interview is ended is crucial for a sustained professional relationship.
This is because the purpose of interview is defined and clarified at the beginning, it prepares both
parties to understand and appreciate the efforts put in the change process.
Expressing appreciation, summarizing the interview, and planning for another meeting is verbal
indications that a participant intends to close the interview. In an ideal interview closing, both
parties understand the signals and respond appropriately.
In essence, closing interviews should be professional and mutual. By professional, it should be
guided by the time set for its closing; and by mutual, both parties should be ready to draw the
curtain, and if need be, make provision for a second meeting.
Tips for effective and successful Interview: In no particular order
- Be punctual to interview and counseling sessions. Do not keep client waiting for long, or even
waiting at all.
- Listen carefully to what the client is saying, paying close attention to both verbal and non-
verbal expressions.
-Reassure client that he/she is being listened to, by repeating some of his/her words and
expressions, nodding, prodding and making eye contacts when necessary.
-Show empathy by communicating and making the client know that you understand his/her
experience. Such engenders trust and goodwill.
- Allow client to speak out his/her mind.
- Be open and honest about the process and what you can offer.
-Ask questions, especially open-ended questions to stimulate the client’s memory and reflective
processes. This helps to elicit wider responses and information.
COUNSELING

Counseling is a process of talking, listening and walking through issues in the context of a
supportive relationship with another person’. Counseling involves active listening to people talk
about their problems, giving them comfort in an atmosphere of empathy, and helping them to
work out what to do about their problems. Counseling seeks to empower the client.

Stages of Counseling in working with clients

Counseling follows a systematic process which is not peculiar to a particular problem. It cuts
across all problems such as family and communal crises, domestic violence, truancy, juvenile
delinquency, mental problem etc.
The stages of counseling include:
- identification of problem(s) or problem awareness,
- establishment of relationship,
- motivation,
- in-depth exploration of the problem,
- exploring alternatives,
- implementation, and
- evaluation.
Identification of problem(s)/Problem awareness:
The health worker and the client identify the problem(s), and they agree on what needs to be
addressed /treated. This makes the client to be aware of the problem and willing to change.
Establishing relationship:
Here, the health worker uses their expertise skills to establish meaningful professional
relationship with their clients. This stage is very critical and crucial in counseling process
because this relationship determines the client’s responses, and willingness to cooperate and
change the situation. This relationship involves good rapport with the client, trust, being non-
judgmental, maintaining confidentiality, and creating an atmosphere of warmth.
Motivation:
In this phase, the health worker helps to maintain, encourage clients to remain positive and
enthusiastic throughout the process of solving their challenges. The worker must help the client
avoid self-defeating statements like ‘I cannot make it; I am worthless; all my hopes are dashed’.
The aim is to make sure client feels the power to change or cope satisfactorily with the situation.
In-depth exploration of the problem:
Here, both the health worker and client define the problem clearly, and analyze them critically to
find out details of the problem, the root causes, and consequences.
Exploring alternatives: The health worker and client consider various ways or strategies that
will help to resolve the problem. Imposition of ideas in abhorred. Thus, the health worker allows
client to choose whatever strategies or alternatives that he feels happier with.
Implementation of selected strategies:
At this stage, both the health worker and client put into action the agreed strategies. This stage is
action oriented.
Evaluation:
This is the final stage in the counseling process. Here, both the health worker and client review
the intervention process to ascertain effectiveness. Effectiveness is determined by whether
desired goals and changes have been achieved; WHAT worked/didn’t work, and why, the way
forward, what more to be done?

SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVE COUNSELING

Skills are the muscles that make counseling effective. Therefore, a good knowledge of these
skills makes counselors and counseling more effective and successful. The basic counselling
skills required by health workers include:
- attention giving (active listening, non-critical acceptance);
- paraphrasing (reacting back, summarizing and checking);
- ability to use different kinds of questions (minimal prompting, alternatives to
questions);
- empathic understanding (linking, immediacy);
- goal setting (problem solving, focusing techniques);
- knowledge about own and other’s use of body language;
- avoidance of judging and moralistic responses;
- the ability to offer feedback; defusing (making the process less difficult and
pacifying the enormity of problem).