Practice Session Instructions

These instructions apply to both the face-to-face and online versions of this course. These are highly detailed instructions so be sure to read carefully.

In order to demonstrate your proficiency in the skills taught in this class, your instructor will need to watch you in action! In the face-to-face sections of this course we will be observing your skills in the classroom...however, we are ALSO going to ask you to record your performance video your performance To this end we are going to harness the power of some pretty nifty technology!

There are some choices in terms of how you want to create a recording.

For more information on creating videos on your iPad click HERE.

Basic Instructions

The basic requirement is for you to participate in (and record) counseling sessions where YOU are the Counselor. Online classes are required to complete 5 of these, while face-to-face classes have to complete 2 of them.

There is no limit as to how many times you will play the client. You may meet with different people through the semester or you may meet with the same individual.

This class is meant to teach you the basic interviewing and counseling skills needed to be a Case Manager. While in the later part of the class we are going to cover advanced counseling skills, we will always view these in light of the role of the Case Manager.

In these sessions you (the counselor) are going to role-play the Counselor/Case Manager of your peer (the Client).

CLIENT ROLE

The role of the client is every bit as important as the counselor in this role play. When you are playing the client I want you to create a scenario in which you have a specific problem that needs to be solved. You should create a fairly complex "back-story" of both your history and the details of the problem. You are not supposed to be "difficult" but you should also not be too easy going. Remember, you want your "counselor" to learn how to do this stuff!

Your "problem" can be just about anything:

  • Financial issues
  • Social skills
  • ADL skills
  • Crisis (like you are being evicted - no crisis intervention sessions - that is a different class!)
  • Goal accomplishment (new apartment, new job, new partner, etc.)
  • Roommate issues
  • Benefits issues (like you just lost your Medicaid)

COUNSELOR ROLE

When you are the "counselor" you are going to role play the "Case Manager" so you can create a back story as well. Your agency, how long you have been there, etc. etc.

The basic scenario is that you have been called in to visit your "client" because they have a new "problem" that they need help with. You may know them already (if that is what you have worked out with your partner) or you may have to get to know them. It is not uncommon that we know little more about our new clients than the fact that they DO have a diagnosis (we might not even know what it is).

Your basic task is to conduct the session using the skills outlined in this course to help the person come up with a plan to address the issue. The plan can be just about anything as long as it addresses the issue that the client has brought to you.

At the end of each session you will complete the corresponding Counseling Session Quiz.

How this is going to happen...

Here is how I suggest we go about doing this...however, this is subject to change based on how it works.

  1. Communicate with your classmates to work out times to meet (face-to-face or online) to conduct your sessions.
  2. Record your session using your method of choice.
  3. Send a copy of that recording to your instructor (a link in YouTube, a link from WebEx, etc.)...DO NOT send the video as a file...those files are too large.
  4. As the COUNSELOR you then complete the Practice Session Quiz for each recording.

HINTS:

  1. Your sessions are to be treated with the same confidentiality that you would a "real" client.
  2. It is YOUR responsibility to make the time and effort to ensure success in this part of the class.
  3. Technology problems do not excuse you from a responsibility to complete this assignment
  4. You are to take this seriously...failing to do so will result in being immediately removed from the class and receiving a failing grade
  5. Your recording is the record of your work...if you really mess up, then do the session over again until you get it right...the more you practice these sessions the better.
  6. Check your audio and video quality as you are setting up to record and before you send the file.
  7. Do not include sections your set up time and your efforts to work out technology glitches in the software...hit record when you are ready to record.
  8. Be mindful of the setting and professional etiquette. You don't want family members, pets, unprofessional backgrounds, or food in your video.
  9. Make sure that your face is in the center of the picture...(if your video is face on, such as in WebEx)
  10. Make sure that you can see BOTH the counselor and the client...(if you are doing a video with both of you in the same room - place your chairs at a 45 degree angle)
  11. Stay positive...yes, this is a technical challenge...but it also part of the future of the work we do.

Counseling Session Quizzes and Assignments

For each session you need to complete a quiz. Links to these quizzes are located in The Clinic. Each quiz contains the exact same questions. For each session you should pick the skills that are best exemplified or those that gave you the most difficulty or missed opportunities.

Questions for Practice Sessions 1-3

  1. Provide the name of your client, the date and time of your session, and a general summary of what happened. - 20 pts.
  2. Identify Skill #1 (multiple choice) - no points
  3. Explain how you feel you did with this skill (good or bad) and the impact it may have had in the session (impact on the session or impact on what you feel you need to do to improve) - 20 pts.
  4. Identify Skill #2 (multiple choice) - no points
  5. Explain how you feel you did with this skill (good or bad) and the impact it may have had in the session (impact on the session or impact on what you feel you need to do to improve) - 20 pts.
  6. Identify Skill #3 (multiple choice) - no points
  7. Explain how you feel you did with this skill (good or bad) and the impact it may have had in the session (impact on the session or impact on what you feel you need to do to improve) - 20 pts.
  8. Provide a general reflection on the session, your skills, and what needs to improve - 20 pts.

Additional expectations for Practice Sessions 4-5

In addition to the quiz, for each of the counseling sessions 4-5 you will also submit a written treatment plan. This plan will reflect the expectation that will be a part of the Final Interview Session.

At the conclusion of your interview session you will construct an initial treatment plan which identifies what you are "going to do" with this client. It must cover all of the areas outlined above and must be "real" and "pragmatic".

Any skill training needs to include a brief "Lesson Plan" that indicates the specific steps for skill training and an assessment as to how you will KNOW that the skill has been attained.

Any referrals need to be identified as real agencies and/or services located in the person's area.

Click HERE for a PDF of a presentation on SMART Goals by Dr. Wendy St. Pierre...your goals should be written to meet this criteria.

Click HERE to download a sample of this paper.