The Interview

I tend to let the client lead the talk (i.e. run with the client’s agenda) and I get what I need from the conversation, rather than running the interview like a structured interview . . . I have found that running the interview like a conversation helps the rapport building of the relationship. In the past, I was much more structured in my initial interview techniques. The experience of being a client in the SP/SR process helped me to realize this. I found the initial interviews very ‘‘hard’’ as a client as you are describing problems that you may not be proud of, and to have a therapist ask questions that were seemingly unrelated would, I feel, damage rapport building. However, if I had the freedom to speak of my issues, with only occasional prompts, it gave the impression the therapist was more interested in ME, rather than getting a thorough history.