Assignment 1 Peer Critique Of Final Interview Session

Assignment 1 Peer Critique Of Final Interview Sessionin This Module

In this assignment, students are tasked with reviewing and critiquing two final interview session reports submitted by peers. The critique involves analyzing key counseling skills demonstrated in the sessions, such as engagement, attending, paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, expressing empathy, and summarizing. The critique should assess how these skills influenced client reactions, as observed through both therapist notes and client feedback. Students are expected to write two to three paragraphs summarizing their observations, providing objective feedback grounded in the behavioral evidence from the reports. Additionally, students should participate in discussions by drawing broader conclusions about effective counseling techniques, and all feedback must adhere to APA standards for source attribution.

Paper For Above instruction

The provided session transcripts reveal important insights into the counselor's application of core therapeutic skills and their impact on the client's engagement and response. At the beginning of the session, the client appeared hesitant and uncomfortable, indicative of initial reluctance or unease about seeking help. The therapist's use of attending behaviors, such as nodding and minimal verbal acknowledgment ("ok"), demonstrated active listening, which signaled understanding and validation of the client's story. However, the critique suggests that the client might benefit from encouraging the therapist to respond more verbally to facilitate greater comfort and openness. This aligns with research indicating that expressive affirmations can foster trust and reduce client anxiety (Egan, 2013).

The therapist's use of paraphrasing was notably effective, as exemplified by the restatement of the client's concerns about time management. This technique not only clarified the client's issues but also demonstrated the therapist's attentive listening. Reflecting feelings was observed when the therapist acknowledged the client's discouragement, which appeared to evoke a sense of relief or validation in the client. Such reflection has been shown to promote emotional awareness and rapport (Rogers, 1961). Conversely, the critique highlights a deficiency in empathy, as the therapist did not explicitly connect with the client's emotional state or normalize their experiences, which could diminish feelings of being understood and accepted. Expressing empathy is crucial in establishing trust and fostering a supportive environment, especially with clients who are hesitant or vulnerable (Gelso & Hayes, 2007).

Finally, the session's closing summary was comprehensive, encapsulating the client's difficulties with school pressures, extracurricular stress, and coping methods such as drinking or fishing. A well-conducted summary helps reinforce the therapeutic alliance and clarifies the focus for subsequent sessions. The overall evaluation emphasizes that when counselors employ a balanced blend of attending, paraphrasing, reflecting, and empathetic responses, clients tend to respond more openly and positively. The critique also underscores that improving empathetic communication could further enhance client outcomes, aligning with research advocating for empathy as a cornerstone of effective therapy (Watson et al., 2019). This analysis demonstrates the importance of deliberate skill application in fostering client comfort and productive therapeutic progress.

References

• Egan, G. (2013). The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping. Brooks/Cole.
• Gelso, C. J., & Hayes, J. A. (2007). Countertransference and the Therapist's Inner Experience: Perils and Possibilities. Routledge.
• Rogers, C. R. (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.
• Watson, J. C., Lent, B. R., & Sutherland, K. S. (2019). Empathy in Counseling: A Review of Clinical Practice. Journal of Counseling & Development, 97(3), 245-253.
• Additional scholarly sources relevant to counseling skills and client engagement would be included for comprehensive referencing.