BMFT 602: Internship I January 13, 2009

Agenda Welcome back (8:00-8:45) Syllabus questions & selection of novels (8:45-9:15) Break (9:15-9:30) Beginning therapy (9:30-9:45) Intake calls (9:45-10:50)

Think, Pair, Share What do you feel like you must know before you walk into the therapy room? What are your expectations for this semester? What are your expectations for this course? What fears do you have this semester?

Syllabus Assignment questions Intake Interview Theory of Change Paper Blog Posting Treatment Plan Group Presentation Supervision Inform professor of presentation groups & select novels

break 9:15-9:30

Beginning therapy Dealing with Your Own Feelings

Dealing with lack of confidence Realize that feelings are completely normal Share experiences with other therapists & supervisors Identify distorted thoughts getting in your way Realize importance of client-therapist relationship Recognize presence of a learning curve Give yourself permission to not know

stages of therapist development Stage 1: Learning essential skills Stage 2: Learning to conceptualize cases Stage 3: Self-of-the-therapist issues

intake calls

types of referrals Self-referrals Outside referrals Someone other than intended client makes first contact Family members’ level of motivation Family’s influential external relationships Whether therapy is appropriate

outside referrals Explain your role as one that can address disagreements & conflict between family & others Gain clear picture of whether there is disagreement between referral source & family Encourage referral source to emphasize your independence to minimize client defensiveness Gather info about problem & referral source’s attempts to alleviate it

silverman’s three r’s Reachable Responsive Reassuring

suggestions for initial contact Listen & reflect Crisis? Consider scope of practice Respond promptly Remember rapport Address business efficiently Stick to basic, relevant information & issues

suggested questions What is the problem? What is the severity of the problem? How has the family responded? How have they been coping with the situation? Has there been previous therapy? Why is the family seeking help now? What other factors may be influential?

mfi specifics 2 hours for intake session Determine enough information to know which assessment packet to give Explain fee scale & payment options Directions to clinic Keep track of contact at bottom of intake form

who should come to the 1st session? Who does the family want to come? Who is involved in the problem? Generational boundaries “Individual” problem - would family members’ presence facilitate or hinder treatment What is the family’s motivation? Be flexible

making hypotheses based on intake information

practicing initial phone calls

next week Topic Intake sessions Formal & informal assessment Reading Hodge Midori Hanna, 6-7 MFI Manual, Section VI