Social work interviews are purposeful conversations between practitioners and clients designed to facilitate cooperative working relationships by focusing on needs, wants, problems, resources, and solutions. They include attention to both verbal and nonverbal expression (listening, responding, body positioning, facial expressions, and gestures). Skills utilized are also influenced by setting and purpose. (Bibliographies, 2015) Preparing for this interview with a client who was 59 years old and having problems coping with her very young daughter I had to think about the comfort of the environment that I was preparing the interview. I had to do this in order to make her want to open up to me in the right way. Social workers conduct interviews with their clients to help gather information and establish …show more content…
According to author Barry R. Cournoyer in his book "The Social Work Skills Workbook," active listening involves the combination of talking and listening skills to show clients that you are an active and collaborative participant in treatment and helps convey empathy for your client's problem or situation. During active listening, you use mirroring techniques to paraphrase and reflect back to a client what he or she has just said. . (Miller, 2015) Before I did the interview I usually cut into someone’s statement and then they could not complete what they were saying. Some of this was evident in my interview and so next time I will have to try and ensure that the client is finish speaking or ask if they were finish speaking so has to show that I was actively listen. The client demonstrate interest not only by my verbal responses, but also by her own non-verbal expressions such as leaning forward, nodding, maintaining appropriate eye contact, and your facial expressions. All of these considerations make for effective communication in you’re an interview