Psychology

The intake interview is the first crucial step in the counseling or therapeutic process of the client.  This paper reports observations taken from an intake interview of a client with an intake therapist from Suncoast Mental Health.  The sole responsibility of the intake therapist in the center was to conduct intake interviews prior to the therapy program. 

It was observed that she instantly established rapport as soon as the client walked in the door.  She maintained good eye contact, and her posture and tone of voice were very congruent with a person looking to be of service to others.  All these are behaviors that try to put the client at ease at the start of the interview.  Sommers-Flanagan  Sommers-Flanagan (2003) articulates that addressing a clients fear about therapy can be done through education, reassurance, courteous introductions, conversations and flexibility (p. 165).

The writer observed that the therapist went through the questions and procedures for signing release forms systematically with a flow that is impressive, and still managing to keep the client on track.  She used reflective listening and showed compassion and empathy to her client when she attempted to switch the intake session into a therapeutic one.  She rarely looked away from the client except to redirect the clients unruly child which was attempting to destroy paperwork.  She did this in an elegant manner so as not to offend the parent.  The ease of how she conducted the interview demonstrated her expert skills, especially in the absence of a structured interview guide.  In a study conducted by Aboraya (2009), majority of psychiatrists do not employ structured interviews highlighting the following reasons constraints of time, structured interviews are research tools, and structured interviews interfere with establishing rapport with patients (p. 24).  Furthermore, psychiatrists believe that years of clinical experience develop skills of diagnosing patients without the need for structured interviews.

The writer is of the opinion that the therapist established rapport quickly and was able to maintain it throughout the session.  Her strength lies on her ability to stay focused while being personable and caring at the same time.  She seemed to incorporate a number of counseling techniques right into the intake.  These are indeed very remarkable skills not only for gathering information, but to encourage clients to participate and accept the program.