Effective Client Interviewing and Counseling
11 Pages Posted: 27 Feb 2014 Last revised: 24 Oct 2018
Date Written: February 1, 2014
Abstract
Our success in helping our clients often depends on how effective we are in developing a strong professional relationship with them. Strong professional relationships build on trust, comfort, and communication. Effective client interviewing and counseling can facilitate the development of a strong professional relationship with our clients.
This article was drafted as a preview to my client counseling book, "A Short and Happy Guide to Effective Client Interviewing and Counseling" (West 2016). The article provides a brief summary of effective client interviewing and counseling. The first section outlines the format for a general client interview. The second section provides short descriptions for each part of the client interview. The third section highlights some fundamental counseling skills that may improve how effectively we interview and counsel our clients.
Keywords: client, counsel, counseling, counselors, interview, interviewing, professional relationship, rapport, trust, communication, empathy, listening, active listening, goal, expectations
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