Clinical Interviewing Role Play Part 2

Summary

In this second part of a clinical interviewing series, Dr. Todd Rhonda conducts a roleplay with Kelly, a graduate assistant, to demonstrate key elements of an intake interview. The session focuses on gathering information about the client's childhood, relationship history, and spirituality. Topics discussed include the client's upbringing, family dynamics, disciplinary practices, marriage, parental history, and children's well-being. The session highlights the importance of understanding personal history and family relationships in developing an effective clinical approach, providing valuable insights into the process of conducting a thorough and compassionate clinical interview.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is part two of a clinical interviewing series led by Dr. Todd Rhonda, with Kelly as a role-playing participant. It focuses on a clinical intake interview.
• 😀 The purpose of the interview is educational, with a reminder that each agency may have different requirements for clinical interviews.
• 😀 Dr. Rhonda is eliciting information about the client’s childhood, relationship history, and spirituality.
• 😀 The client was raised in Wellington and speaks English and some Spanish, although not fluently.
• 😀 The client's childhood was described as normal, though their mother was angry, especially toward the client, and there was some physical discipline.
• 😀 The client's family dynamic involved the client being the oldest sibling, with their middle sister being well-behaved and excelling in school.
• 😀 The client describes the relationship with their parents as generally loving, but their mother was stricter, especially toward the client, compared to their sisters.
• 😀 The client moved out at 19, and although there was some yelling and physical discipline during childhood, the situation was not classified as abusive.
• 😀 The client is married and describes their marriage as generally happy, with the husband being supportive of therapy and open to potentially attending a session together.
• 😀 The client has two children (a son, 12 years old, and a daughter) and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with them, making a conscious effort not to repeat their mother’s strictness.
• 😀 The client had a challenging experience with their son when a teacher expressed concern about his behavior (being withdrawn), but he was later assessed and found to be okay.

Q & A

How did the client's relationship with her mother influence her own parenting style?

The client mentioned that she tried hard not to repeat her mother's behaviors, especially when it came to disciplining her children. She made a conscious effort not to yell at her children, unlike how her mother treated her. Her relationship with her kids is very important to her, and she prioritizes spending time together, such as having family vacations and game nights.

What role did discipline play in the client's childhood?

The client described her childhood as 'normal,' but noted that her mother often yelled at her and physically disciplined her by pulling her hair. The discipline seemed to be more severe toward her compared to her two sisters, with the client being the oldest.

What was the client's experience with her father's role in discipline?

The client mentioned that her father was quiet and did not get involved in the disciplinary actions at home. The responsibility of discipline fell mainly to her mother.

What is the client's marital history and current relationship status?

The client is currently married and describes her marriage as happy. Her spouse is supportive of her attending counseling, even suggesting that she go. The client indicates that their marriage has had its ups and downs but is overall positive.

Did the client ever face issues with her spouse regarding mental health or substance use?

There was no mention of any issues related to mental health, substance use, or gambling concerning the client's spouse. The client confirmed that her spouse did not have any such problems.

How does the client describe her relationship with her children?

The client describes her relationship with her children as strong and positive. She emphasizes the importance of not replicating her own childhood experiences with her mother. She works hard to maintain a close bond with her kids and enjoys spending quality time with them, such as during family vacations or game nights.

What challenge did the client's son face in school, and how did the family address it?

A couple of years ago, the client's son's second-grade teacher expressed concern that he was isolating himself from other children, suspecting he might be depressed. The client took her son to a counselor, and while the situation was concerning at the time, her son is now doing better and is fine.

How did the client handle the challenge of raising children during their toddler years?

The client mentioned that the toddler years were particularly challenging, but she worked through them with her husband. She expressed that the early years of parenting were tough, but she emphasized the importance of maintaining a supportive and positive relationship with her children.

What was the client's childhood like in terms of her family dynamic and environment?

The client described her childhood as 'pretty normal,' with her parents providing for her and her two sisters. However, her mother was often angry, especially toward the client. The client noted that her siblings did not receive the same treatment, and she felt that she received more of her mother's anger.

What other relationships did the client have before her marriage?

Before her marriage, the client had a serious boyfriend in graduate school and dated a few people during college and high school. She briefly mentioned her high school relationship, which ended in a breakup.