Assignment 1 Lasa 2 Conducting And Evaluating An Interview

Assignment 1 Lasa 2 Conducting And Evaluating An Interviewbymonday

During the first week of class you conducted your first practice interview, and in week three you developed an Interview Guide. For this activity, you will be using your Interview Guide, the analysis of potential interview biases from LASA 1, and the feedback you have received from your instructor to conduct an interview with a volunteer. Prior to the Interview Locate an adult volunteer. Read the analysis requirements below and ENSURE you meet them within your interview.

Make sure your interview includes: A minimum of 5 open and 5 closed ended questions (10 total). A minimum of 5 examples of paraphrasing, summaries, or reflections techniques (must have at least one of each paraphrase, summary, and reflection/5 total). Gather Recording Equipment (video is preferred). You will need to record your interview. Also make sure you have a watch or a timer to keep track of the length of your interview.

Make sure your interview is not less than 5 minutes long. The Interview Needs to be at least 5 minutes long, but it should not be more than 10 minutes. Be prepared! Although it may not sound like it, 5 minutes is a long time in interviewing time. If you are having problems filling 5 minutes, go back to the interview skills you have learned about (e.g., probing, reflections, and summaries).

After the Interview Play back the recording of the interview. Transcribe or write out the interview completely. Be sure to write out everything said during the interview. After you have written the transcript of the interview, provide a detailed analysis of the interview. On your transcript: Identify Questions Used: On your transcript identify at least 5 closed and 5 open ended questions that you used during the interview. Identify these on your transcript using all caps (10 questions total).

For example: Interviewer: How long have you been having headaches? CLOSED QUESTION

Evaluate the Questions: After you have identified examples of 5 open and 5 closed questions in your transcript, write an evaluation of the effectiveness of your use of questions (Approximately one paragraph). Explain whether or not your questions were effective. How did your client respond to your questions? How would you improve the effectiveness of your questions?

Identify Techniques Used: Next, identify at least 5 examples of paraphrasing, summarizing, or reflections you used (must have at least one of each: paraphrase, summary, and reflection). Again, use all caps on your transcript to identify each technique. For example: Interviewer: So it’s been several weeks since you’ve been able to sleep without problems? PARAPHRASE

Evaluate the Techniques: Evaluate the effectiveness of your interview technique (Approximately one paragraph). How did your client respond to the techniques in the interview? How do you know if you were effective with these? Provide justification for your response. How could you improve your use of these?

Application: Analysis and Summary Explain how the information you gathered during the interview can aid in planning treatment for your client. How can treatment of this client be more informed or more targeted based on the information you gathered (Approximately 2-3 paragraphs).

Identify at least two possible ethical issues that could arise during your interview (hint: go back to your Module 1 lecture for ideas about ethical issues in interviewing). Explain how an ethical interviewer should deal with each of these issues. (Approximately 2-3 paragraphs).

Paper For Above instruction

The process of conducting a comprehensive and ethically sound interview is central to effective client assessment and treatment planning in counseling and psychology. This paper details the steps undertaken in an interview with a volunteer, illustrates the questions and techniques employed, evaluates their effectiveness, and discusses how the data collected can inform treatment, alongside a reflection on ethical considerations involved in the process.

Introduction

Effective interviewing is an essential skill in mental health professions, serving as a foundational tool for gathering relevant client information. The nuances of question formulation, application of active listening techniques such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and reflecting, and adherence to ethical standards all influence the quality of data obtained. This paper documents the step-by-step process of conducting an interview, analyzing question effectiveness, technical techniques, and ethical considerations, providing a comprehensive overview of best practices in clinical interviewing.

Interview Methodology and Question Design

The interview was conducted with an adult volunteer, with the goal of gathering qualitative data regarding their mental health status. The interview included ten questions—five open-ended and five closed-ended—designed to elicit detailed responses while also allowing for structured yes/no answers where appropriate. An example of a closed question was, “Do you find it difficult to sleep at night?” whereas an open-ended question was, “Can you describe how you typically feel during the day?”

The questions aimed to establish a rapport and to uncover pertinent information about the client’s emotional state, behavior, and history. The open questions provided depth, encouraging the interviewee to elaborate, while the closed questions allowed for quick clarifications and diagnostic clarification. This mixed approach facilitated a balanced interview flow and ensured that both qualitative and quantitative data could be captured.

Question Effectiveness Evaluation

The formulated questions proved effective in eliciting detailed responses, particularly the open-ended questions which encouraged narrative sharing. The closed questions efficiently clarified specific issues, such as sleep patterns and mood symptoms. The interviewee responded openly to the open questions, offering insights into their emotional experiences, but occasionally hesitated or provided brief answers to some open questions. To improve effectiveness, future questions could incorporate more probing techniques to encourage elaboration, and the phrasing could be made more neutral to avoid leading responses. Overall, the question structure facilitated a productive interview, but greater use of follow-up probes would increase depth of understanding.

Techniques Used and Their Evaluation

Throughout the interview, several active listening techniques were applied to foster rapport and gather richer data. The first technique, paraphrasing, was demonstrated when the interviewer stated, “It sounds like you often feel overwhelmed at work and in your personal life,” which the client affirmed. Second, a summary was used after collecting a series of responses: “So, you’ve been experiencing difficulty sleeping and feeling anxious most days, correct?” Third, the reflection, “It seems that these feelings are impacting your daily functioning,” helped validate the client's experiences and encourage further sharing.

The effectiveness of these techniques was evident, as the interviewee responded positively, confirming understanding and opening avenues for deeper exploration. Such techniques demonstrated empathy, validated the client’s feelings, and encouraged honest disclosure. Improvement could involve more nuanced reflections and summaries, tailored to specific responses to maximize client comfort and data richness.

Application to Treatment Planning

The data collected provides critical insights into the client’s mental health challenges, notably symptoms of anxiety and sleep disturbances. Understanding these issues allows mental health professionals to tailor interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy targeting anxiety management and sleep hygiene techniques. The detailed account of the client’s feelings and behaviors informs diagnosis and highlights areas requiring immediate attention.

Furthermore, the qualitative data reveals the impact of these issues on daily functioning, which can be used to set realistic goals and measure progress. For instance, if the client reports significant daytime fatigue, treatment can prioritize improving sleep quality through targeted behavioral changes. Collecting such detailed information ensures that interventions are personalized, enhancing their effectiveness and fostering better rapport between therapist and client.

Ethical Considerations

Two potential ethical issues during the interview include confidentiality and informed consent. Maintaining confidentiality is vital to protect the client’s privacy; the interviewer should explain how data will be stored and shared, and should ensure that the volunteer understands that participation is voluntary and their responses are confidential, except where disclosure is legally required. Informed consent involves explaining the purpose of the interview, procedures involved, and that the volunteer can withdraw at any time without penalty.

Another concern pertains to boundaries and emotional safety. The interviewer should be attentive to signs of distress and be prepared to terminate or pause the interview if the volunteer appears overwhelmed. Ensuring appropriate debriefing and providing resources or referrals for further support are critical. Upholding ethical standards fosters trust, encourages honest communication, and safeguards the well-being of the client throughout the process.

Conclusion

In summary, conducting an effective interview involves careful question design, active engagement through techniques such as paraphrasing and reflection, and strict adherence to ethical principles. The insights gained can significantly inform targeted treatment strategies, making the client’s journey toward well-being more personalized and effective. Continuous improvement in interviewing skills, with a focus on ethical integrity, remains essential for mental health practitioners aiming to provide compassionate, competent care.

References

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