Micro SKILLS
Micro SKILLS
Micro SKILLS
ATTENDING
Be culturally aware
How do Qs help?
Facilitative Qs
What
How
Why
Could
Closed Qs (helps focus interview/ quick with information BUT CAN OVERWHELM CLIENT)
Is
Are
Do
‘looking back, what else may be added to what we have been talking about? ..’
‘what else would your friend/ family add to what you have said? ‘
‘Have we missed anything...?’
8. Qs help search for positive assets and wellness patterns (what are the strengths? ..draw it
out..). Clients talk about what they can’t do..so ASK
- What are the strengths?
- When were you successful?
- Who supported you?
- Support systems?
- Proud off in the past? Now?
- what do others say that you well?
- Culture/ gender/ family inventory: strengths?
Self - aware interviewed is aware of the client and here and now in the sessions. Observe verbal
and non verbal means: how does the client interpret the world?
OS in 3 areas:
1. Non Verbal behaviour (eye contact, body language, vocal qualities, SOLER...)
2. Verbal behaviour (verbal tracking- topic change? Concrete? Abstract? I vs
others? More negatives....changing to more positive? Key words? Note
repetitive words, themes)
3. Discrepancies (mixed messages, incongruities, conflict?) Non V behaviours/ or 2
statements/ or both?
Examples:
- My son is perfect but he does not respect me...
- I love my brother (looks down)
Clients need to know that their story has been heard. Accurate listening through EPS help client to
open up...
E: NV means like ....uh – huh/ simple repetition of key words/ restatements (exact
words)
P: Essence of what is said to clarify (use some of your own words....not parrot)
S: longer time and more information (to begin or end an interview/ transition to new
topic; give clarity to complex stories; distilled form)
P & S has four dimensions:
IDENTIFY FEELINGS
1. SENTENCE STEM: ....You are.../ ....You feel ...glad about ...(OR sounds like
you feel...)
2. ADD Feeling word/ REFLECT STRENGTH OF FEELINGS: .....You feel as if..OR
Sound as if....(use name) and ADD feeling words (sad..glad..)
3. ADD content (....you feel glad about your marks...)
4. NOW/ Present tense: ...You feel glad right now (not FELT or will feel)
5. CHECK –OUT: ....Is that right?
Steps
Inconsistency in:
o V and NV messages: ....You say you feel sad, yet you are smiling
o Verbal messages and actions: ....you say you are done with your
husband yet you keep phoning him...
o Values and actions:..... you say you are honest...but you bent the truth...
o Statements and evidence: ....you said your husband never does anything
and now you say he is cleaning the kitchen last night...
o Between own and others evaluations: you seem to think you handled
your quitting smoking pretty well but the rest of the family/ group is still
unhappy with your behaviour
SKILLS:
SAY:
...On the one hand you seem/ say... but on the other hand...
...I am getting two messages..
...I am getting mixed messages...
Helpers: .. be relaxed, friendly
AVOID
o Strong challenges
o talking down
o superior
o As equals
o No muscle
o Put down helper, creates resistance, turns sour
o Avoid in early phase (before trust, rapport)
SKILLS to HELP:
o Ultimate responsibility left to client to assess value of
their challenges and to move forward or not?
o Keep it well timed
o choose tactful words
o Do not overdo, create unsafe emotional climates,
block clients, block collaboration
o Shift your style, gentler approach
o Positive asset search/ strengths identified/ wellness
search
FOCUSSING THE INTERVIEW
o Focus on the client...sheila you said last time that you were concerned about
your health..
o Main theme/ problem: ..tell me more about you getting fired from your job..
o On others: ..so you did not like your boss...tell me more about him...
o On family: ..how supportive has your family been?...
o Interviewer:..My experience with such a situation is...
o On culture/ environment: ..yes there are many couples working in different
locations these day...given that how important is it to be together as a family?
SELF DISCLOSURE
To be specific:
I am really pleased..
That’s good
I am sorry to hear that..
Client as a person:
To client’s vulnerability:
o Slow down
o Take it easy
o Breathe
o I can manage
o relax
o Count to ten
o Be careful
o I can choose
o Problem solve
o Cool it
o Demanding rule:
- I must be a good counsellor by today (negative feelings..?)
o Preferential rule:
- I prefer to...
RESISTANCES AND
MAKING REFERRALS
Build trust
Reflect feelings back
Help them feel they have a friend
Offer support
Enlist self- interest: what are your goals? Would like yu to be more in control of the situation?
REFER
PROBLEM SOLVING
1. Clarify goals
2. Generate solutions/options
3. Develop a plan
4. Explore commitment/ anticipate difficulties /negotiate homework
TERMINATING HELPING