PSYC D Interviewing Skills 1

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 2 Format of Role Play 30 to 40 minute interview 30 to 40 minute interview Interviewer Interviewer Initiates questioningInitiates questioning Collects information through semi-structured questions and prompts for more informationCollects information through semi-structured questions and prompts for more information Terminates sessionTerminates session Interviewee Interviewee Provides information on questions posedProvides information on questions posed Determines pace of interviewDetermines pace of interview Prepares for background informationPrepares for background information Role of interviewer or interviewee will be chosen randomly. Role of interviewer or interviewee will be chosen randomly.

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 3 Grading On thoroughness of preparation On thoroughness of preparation On flexibility On flexibility On rapport – connection to interviewee On rapport – connection to interviewee On notes used to prepare for the session (please make a photocopy of either your typed or clearly handwritten notes) On notes used to prepare for the session (please make a photocopy of either your typed or clearly handwritten notes) Performance: 15%, Notes: 5% (a transcript will not be required) Performance: 15%, Notes: 5% (a transcript will not be required) You will not be graded on your acting ability, ability to shock, or humour You will not be graded on your acting ability, ability to shock, or humour

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 4 Recommended Chapter Photocopy of chapter 2 from Hersen, M., & Van Hesselt, V. B. (Eds.). (1998). Basic Interviewing: A Practical Guide for Counselors and Clinicians. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Photocopy of chapter 2 from Hersen, M., & Van Hesselt, V. B. (Eds.). (1998). Basic Interviewing: A Practical Guide for Counselors and Clinicians. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Reserves Desk: RC B Use as a guideline for asking questions, generating prompts, and dealing with silences. Use as a guideline for asking questions, generating prompts, and dealing with silences.

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 5 Role of interview 1.First step in getting to know a client 2.May lead to further assessment or treatment  assume that it will be a treatment relationship 3.A way to establish rapport 4.A chance to explain further sessions (not necessary for the assignment)

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 6 Diagnostic Interview 1.Presenting problem 2.Symptoms 3.Associated (neuropsychological) deficits 4.Background history

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 7 Client characteristics For the assignment, assume the client is: For the assignment, assume the client is: 1.Nonviolent 2.Moderately to fluently verbal 3.Compliant 4.Hoping for further help (may or may not be self- referred)

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 8 Client Variables Clients can vary in: Clients can vary in: 1.Education 2.Insight into problem 3.Opportunity to access services (income, living situation) 4.Referral source (self, doctor, parent, child, spouse)

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 9 Client Variables Assume this is the clients first visit to a practitioner for their presenting problem Assume this is the clients first visit to a practitioner for their presenting problem They should not be assumed to know their diagnosis (in reality, they probably won’t) They should not be assumed to know their diagnosis (in reality, they probably won’t) Can start with a vague complaint if you like and the interviewer can push with questions – e.g. I feel nervous, I can’t concentrate Can start with a vague complaint if you like and the interviewer can push with questions – e.g. I feel nervous, I can’t concentrate

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 10 Interviewee Sources to use for preparation of simulation: Sources to use for preparation of simulation: 1.DSM – don’t choose every single one of the criteria (pick and choose, but make sure to include defining criteria) 2.Internet – case studies, basic articles 3.Personal contacts 4.Texts for case studies, presenting symptoms

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 11 Structure of Interview Greeting and making client comfortable (small talk okay) Greeting and making client comfortable (small talk okay) Opening question – from chapter, examples Opening question – from chapter, examples Ignore section in chapter on Ground Rules (we are not doing therapy after the interview) Ignore section in chapter on Ground Rules (we are not doing therapy after the interview) Assessing the presenting problem – how? Assessing the presenting problem – how?

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 12 Structure of Interview No note taking necessary for simulation (unless you want to follow up on a particular point – brief note) No note taking necessary for simulation (unless you want to follow up on a particular point – brief note) Assessment of clients’ understanding of problem – how? Assessment of clients’ understanding of problem – how?

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 13 Structure of Interview Explain the purpose Explain the purpose Questions to ask – see later slides Questions to ask – see later slides Determine if the client has further questions Determine if the client has further questions Termination of interview – how? Termination of interview – how?

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 14 Pointers for the Interviewer Sensitivity – knowing when to push for more information and when not to Sensitivity – knowing when to push for more information and when not to Silence is okay Silence is okay Confidentiality Confidentiality explain limits (suicide/ homicide – duty to report)explain limits (suicide/ homicide – duty to report) should be mentioned a few minutes in, not at end.should be mentioned a few minutes in, not at end.

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 15 Pointers for the Interviewer Be curious – don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions when called for Be curious – don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions when called for Be aware of cultural differences Be aware of cultural differences Prompting is good if you need more information Prompting is good if you need more information Tell me more about thatTell me more about that Give me an example of thatGive me an example of that Others?Others?

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 16 Sensitive Information How to ask difficult questions about: How to ask difficult questions about: Sexual historySexual history AbuseAbuse Drug use or abuseDrug use or abuse If clients don’t volunteer information, don’t ask flat out. If clients don’t volunteer information, don’t ask flat out. Some things may come out in further sessions (for the assignment, how can you ask these questions?) Some things may come out in further sessions (for the assignment, how can you ask these questions?)

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 17 General Questions Both the interviewer and interviewee should minimally prepare for the following questions: To what extent are symptoms triggered by the environment, rooted in history, or related to physiology (nurture and nature)? To what extent are symptoms triggered by the environment, rooted in history, or related to physiology (nurture and nature)? Does the client gain from their symptoms? Does the client gain from their symptoms? What coping skills does the client have? What coping skills does the client have?

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 18 General Questions To what extent are symptoms triggered by the environment, rooted in history, or related to physiology (nurture and nature)? To what extent are symptoms triggered by the environment, rooted in history, or related to physiology (nurture and nature)? Does the client gain from their symptoms? Does the client gain from their symptoms? What coping skills does the client have? What coping skills does the client have?

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 19 How and what do we ask about: Psychiatric History Psychiatric History Medications Medications Medical History Medical History Developmental History Developmental History Family history Family history Recreational History Recreational History Relationships – significant others, friends Relationships – significant others, friends Educational and work history Educational and work history Sexual history (if relevant) Sexual history (if relevant)

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 20 Information: Duty to report Abuse History (if part of case) Abuse History (if part of case) History of suicide or homicide (if necessary) History of suicide or homicide (if necessary)

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 21 Ending the interview Approaches to ending? Approaches to ending?

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 22 Guidelines Interviewer Interviewer 1.Be prepared to ask questions in any of these domains 2.Be flexible – you will not know what the client is preparing (naturalistic interview) 3.Don’t overscript your questions 4.At end, you will be asked to guess what the diagnosis is (you won’t be graded, so it is okay to be wrong)

PSYC D Interviewing Skills 23 Guidelines Interviewee Interviewee 1.Research the disorder and decide what presenting problems you will show 2.Prepare some information in relevant questioning domains but not necessarily all of them 3.Assume you don’t meet criteria for comorbid problems (don’t make the case too complex)