Setup
"The therapist asks to use a private office for an interview. Before starting, they explain that anything discussed will remain confidential"
Creating a confidential and protective environment
"The client refuses to answer a question about their family relationships. The therapist acknowledges this and moves on without pressing further."
Detecting and respecting the client’s boundaries
At the end of the session, the client says, “By the way, my hand hurts sometimes.” The therapist asks, “Can you share more about when and where it hurts?”
Spotting and clarifying ambiguities, doorknob comments, and contradictions in content
The client shares a difficult experience. The therapist says, “That must have been really challenging,” while maintaining a soft and neutral facial expression.
Responding (nonverbally or verbally) to a response
The client begins talking in depth about unrelated topics. The therapist gently interjects, “I’d like to hear more about that later. Right now, can we focus on how you manage daily tasks?”
Redirecting hyperverbal or tangential clients
"For today, I’ll perform a physical assessment of your wrist and hand, which will involve checking your range of motion, strength, and sensation. This helps me understand where you’re starting from and guide your treatment plan. Does this plan sound okay to you? Do I have your permission to proceed with the assessment?"
Orienting the client to the process and requesting consent
"The therapist notices the client fidgeting and avoiding eye contact. They pause to engage in light small talk to ease the client's tension before resuming the interview."
Assessing vulnerabilities and sensitivities
A client seems confused by a question about their morning routine. The therapist rephrases it: “Can you walk me through what happens from the moment you wake up?”
Rephrasing, reordering, or asking questions creatively (if the interview protocol permits)
When the client says, “I feel like I’m failing,” the therapist replies empathetically, “It sounds like you’re carrying a lot. You’re doing your best under tough circumstances.”
Responding therapeutically
After a particularly emotional topic, the therapist pauses and asks, “How are you feeling about what we’ve discussed so far?”
Checking in and acting as an emotional buoy
A client expressed that they feel the exercises aren’t helping and are a waste of time. As a therapist, you respond "Here’s what we’re going to do: Let’s focus on exercises that directly target the strength and range you need for your work tasks. I’ll make adjustments based on your feedback, but we’re going to keep pushing forward. You’ve got this, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way."
Conveying a take-charge attitude
"The therapist moves closer before beginning the interview. She nods, and maintains eye contact while the client talks"
Listening well
The therapist encounters resistance when asking detailed questions about the client’s routine. They calmly explain, “These questions help us understand how to best support you.”
Never apologizing for interview length or the questions
The client begins crying uncontrollably during a question. The therapist offers tissues, pauses the interview, and says, “Let’s take a moment before we continue.”
Knowing when to stop
The therapist concludes, “To summarize, we talked about your challenges with daily tasks and strategies we can explore. Do you have any questions before we end?”
Summarizing, seeking feedback, and establishing closure