Counselor Up!
  • Blog
  • About
  • Speaker
  • Author
    • Book Summary
    • Book Discussion Guide
  • Things I Love
  • TPT Store

Individual Counseling: The Initial Interview

10/31/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
I don't know about you but I find individual counseling one of the most challenging parts of school counseling. I used to feel this big weight that I needed to fix every kid that walked through my doors. I've grown a lot in that aspect but there are still some parts of the individual counseling process that can be, well, awkward. How about the first session of a parent/teacher referral? The kid isn't even sure why they're there and they may not be very excited about being there at all.

I decided to take a life lesson and apply it to counseling. Don't know what to talk about? Ask people about themselves. People LOVE to talk about themselves. Cue the initial interview questionnaire. There's something about asking a kid about themselves and writing down the answer. They love it! I think it makes them feel important. I could have the quietest kid in the world and have to cut them off because our time is up.

For the next week, my initial interview form will be available on Teachers Pay Teachers for FREE! Here's a few pointers:
  • I always ask the kid if we can complete this "worksheet" so I can get to know them better
  • Write down every thing they say. I have created my own shorthand to write quicker. This serves two purposes: to make the child feel like everything they are saying is important and to help you identify patterns in their responses.
  • I keep these sheets on file for the rest of the year. It helps to refresh your memory about a child when you look at their sheet. I sometimes also notice patterns after new information has emerged and like to be able to look back at their responses.

Goodbye initial session awkwardness! I love having "go-to" resources to ease more difficult parts of the job. How about you? What resources do you love? Any you wish you had?

2 Comments
Judi Wittwer
11/28/2018 06:20:21 am

I noticed the initial interview is posted on TPT for $3.00 versus free as indicated in your blog. Just checking to see if I missed the free offer.
Thanks-love you materials, encouragement, ideas, etc.

Reply
Rebecca Atkins
11/28/2018 10:29:37 am

Hello! The post is from 2014 so the one week it was free has passed. Take care!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Rebecca Atkins

    Welcome to my blog where I talk about all things school counselor and encourage others to Counselor Up!

     Subscribe in a reader

    This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.

    Opt Out of Cookies
    Picture

    Interrupting Racism: Equity and Social Justice in School Counseling

    Links may be affiliate links. If you link and purchase, I may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support of Counselor Up.

    Categories

    All
    ASCA National Model
    Behavior
    Counseling Career
    Equity
    Freebies
    Groups
    IMO
    Individual Counseling
    Just A Little Thing
    Lessons
    Office
    Organization
    Parent Book Club
    Parent Communication
    Professional Development
    #tbt
    Technology

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2021
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014