Self critique

The class provided necessary lessons on the tools required by a counselor to obtain information from clients. I consider the silence part as one that brought out my strengths as a counselor. In counseling, the aim of different interview techniques to help clients tell their story in a constructive way. Given the diversity of clients, it is important to be conversant with all interview techniques. While some clients can't stop are easy to open up about their problems, others may find it difficult to tell out the bare essentials. Other clients fall in between the range. In this case, role playing will be a valuable technique in my career as a professional counselor. A verbal dialogue does not necessarily help the client disclose the real problem. While I enjoyed role playing, I will need to refine my skills in role playing. At times, the less talkative people may get to the heart of the matter in only a few sentences. A client may often hit a dead end when he visits a counselor for the first time.

 Clients experience tension particularly due to the recognition that he has not been able to handle his emotions and feelings as he may have desired. In response to such tensions, clients develop a wide range of behavioral patterns that may vary from avoidance to anger. It is, therefore, important to have necessary interview tools in order to effectively conduct clinical interviews. One of the aspects I did not pay attention to was the importance of interview skills in conducting an interview session. However, with the two classes recapping on important interview skills, I feel confident in my ability in this area. I also observed how different people played different roles. A major lesson learned is the importance of understanding the client. People have different cultures and beliefs that should be taken into account in counseling practice. In one scenario, the client, a religious client had significantly diverse views with the counselor. Observing my colleagues dealing with the situation is one of the most memorable moments of the role playing session.  The client revealed his true feelings initially, but the counselor was not conversant with them. I realized the importance of creating a safe environment for the client enabled the counselor to handle the issue effectively. This is important as establishing trust is one of my strongest traits. 

When trust and emotions come to the surface, the client easily accepts the supportive presence of a counselor.  With the supportive environment, a counselor can help clarify the story of the client. 

Observing my colleagues perform their activities provided an alternative opportunity to view the real situation with a client and see how some techniques work. I also learned from their mistakes when things did not go as planned.  I directly traced my mistake as I had the chance to observe both the activity and the results as an observer. It also made me think about my strengths and weaknesses as they had emerged from my role play as a therapist. With my strengths and weaknesses in mind, being a therapist is easier for me. At first, I viewed the role of a therapist to be more challenging. The thought of being observed by a group of people made it particularly very difficult.  However, playing the role eased me up as I fitted perfectly in my assigned role. 

Clinical interviewing skills are critical in counseling. I noted that interviews majorly involved asking open ended questions. The counselors also allowed the clients adequate time to think before answering the questions.  Essentially, a clinical interview should be a dialogue between psychologist and client conducted in a way to help the psychologist make proper diagnose. I did not face any noteworthy issues in this area. However, I will carry out more practice to refine my skills in clinical interviewing.  For instance, I felt stuck when enquiring an issue from the client. Realizing this weakness, I have focused my efforts in planning.  When the counselor is conducting an intake interview, there is need to ensure a safe space for a discussion.

During an interview, it is important for the counselor to ask questions in a logical sequence in order to gather adequate information about the client.  I liked how some of the therapists used the techniques we took in the class. I learnt that as a counselor, questions asked should focus more on the client. Initially, I though wandering around an issue will do the trick. However, the lesson taught me that clinical interview occurs within defined time frames. Putting this in mind, it is important to understand how to conduct clinical interviews. 

I realized that a medical interview is a counselor’s most versatile diagnostic and therapeutic tool. However, it did not naturally easily. Some of my colleagues cited interview as one of the most difficult skills to master. To effectively conduct the interview, I realized that I had to be involved both re both emotional and intellectual. I only needed to balance my diagnostic reasoning with the interpersonal skills in order to establish rapport with the client and facilitate communication. This realization made it easy for me when conducting the interview.  I learned that interviews acted as the medium through which a positive relationship is established between the client and the counselor.  I also learned that an empathic, patient-centered interview often lessen the feelings of helplessness and bolster the clients sense of self-esteem.  I find that my communication skills will be helpful in this area particularly when forging a therapeutic alliance during the interview encounter in order to provide the foundation for the ongoing counseling session.

I consider the ability to connect with different persons as one of my strengths. Undoubtedly the clients I will encounter in my practice will be of different age.  Sometimes, clients have different levels of cognitive development.  To effectively interview such a wide range of clients, creative skills and abilities will be necessary. These have been honed in this class. However, I will require investing more time the time and effort in learning different creative ways of eliciting responses from different clients. I have learnt that medical interview considerably differs from other conversations. This is the reason why special skills are needed. The sense of direction distinguishes casual conversations from the medical interview.  The interview should also be conducted with a set of priorities and goals and priorities clearly maintained in the counselors mind. The direction should reflect the respective needs of both client and the counselor.  I will need to invest more time in my communication skills to enhance my ability to establish a positive relationship with the client. The skills will also help me conduct an empathic, patient-centered interview.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in custom nursing essay writing services services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for college essay writing services.