Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Emotionally Focused Couples
The interview provides important insights about the characteristics of interview phases. The review about these characteristics will show their importance in the interview and how counselors can learn from them. One of the characteristics is the optimal use of verbal and non-verbal skills. In this interview, the counselor, Susan Johnson asks clear questions at the right time, and for the intended objective. She further gives the two respondents the time to answer before asking another question. In addition, she excellently uses non-verbal cues like short and long nodding of the head and carefully uses her hands to point to each of the respondents to signify the turn to speak. More importantly, she uses careful eye contact while talking to the two respondents. This allows her to connect with the emotions of the respondent and show them her attention and keenness to listen
At the same time, Susan effectively uses both open and closed ended questions while engaging the two clients. For instance, when Josh explains about his intentions on supporting Patty, Susan asks Patty, “Can you hear him when he says that?” and expects her to answer yes, which she does (Johnson, 2009, 17.00). The strategy is effective because it allows Susan to create an understanding between the two clients and acts as a confirmation that they are involved in the conversation. It also affirms what the other is saying, which creates a sense of agreement. It is effective, because soon after, Patty explains how she feels sorry for Josh, which is agreeable to Josh as he joins to explain the hard part of her response (Johnson, 2009, 18.10). I would not change either of the questions used.
The reflection techniques used by Susan are effective in assisting Josh and Patty to reflect on their own experiences and the situation they are facing. Susan takes time to reflect on the facts provided by Josh about the time he used to knock on the door to ask Patty what was happening (Johnson, 2009, 19.15). Susan interrupts him, and takes a lengthy talk with Josh and reflects on the response by talking as if she was Josh (Johnson, 2009, 19.35). This gives an effective way of suggesting to Josh the things he should be reflecting about. In addition, Susan uses silence to give both Josh and Patty the opportunity to reflect on their issues and facts, but intervenes in order to keep them in line with the conversation.
The three stages of the interview are applicable in the interview by Susan. The exploration stage starts from the beginning of the interview to around the first few minutes. This gives Susan the opportunity to learn the information about the couple and later use the information in the clarification stage. The clarification stage gives Susan and the couple a chance to give facts that define the situation that they are having. For instance, when Susan is asking how Patty felt vulnerable about opening for Josh, she asks, “And somehow you feel very vulnerable, yeah” (Johnson, 2009, 7.30). The action stage reaches when Susan starts assisting the couple to identify the actions they need to take after the reflections on their situation.
In this interview, there was no any instance of counselor self-disclosure. This is because Susan did not disclose any information about herself or share any personal experience in order to connect to the couple she was interviewing. A counselor self-disclosure is a situation where a counselor or a therapist shares his or her own personal experiences in order to improve the emotional state of a client (McLeod, 2011). However, she uses the strategy of reflecting on their issues and using first person in such reflection, as a way of helping them connect with their situation.
To encourage Patty and Josh to self-disclose, Susan used auto suggestions in the form of pen ended questions and direct suggestions. Susan uses questions that are intended to make the responding couple to disclose more information about their situation. In addition, the direct suggestions are meant to direct the respondent to agree with what she is saying and so give more information. If I was handling the couple, I would use counselor self-disclosure to connect with the couple in a way that will make them disclose more information. I would also question intended to invoke the couple’s thoughts such as what they think, what they suggest and what they plan. However, Susan’s methods were effective as the interview went on well.
The overall interview structure was good and appropriate for the couple. The way the introduction, the interview and the conclusion were planned and set was appropriate for the couple. I think the counselor was effective in connecting with the couple and gave them a good opportunity to reflect on their situations. The environment created by Susan was warm and relaxed, which encouraged the couple to explain more and disclose more information easily. At the same time, Susan was effectively inviting for the couple. She was able to create a warm environment where they all engaged in the conversation. By having a warm, informal interview environment and structure, Susan effectively carries out the interview session to the couple.
References
Johnson, S. (2009). Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Retrieved, From, <http://search.alexanderstreet.com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/view/work/1824849> September 27, 2015
Mcleod, J. (2011). Counseling Skills: A Practical Guide for Counselors and Helping Professionals. London: McGraw-Hill Education