An Introductory Interview


If you are concerned about what you would say to a new client, it can help to have an interview written up in advance. You can note down the answers and that will give you an overview of what the situation is with this client. It buys you time to get your act together.

The questions below I have often used with a new client who came into my office. This is a simple way of getting to know a client, finding the main areas that might block progress, and finding something to work on.

Immediately following the interview I would start working on the most pressing issue. But if you are more comfortable breaking off and digesting what you found, that could work too.

A. What does she want

1. "What made you come here?"
2. "What are you trying to accomplish in life?"
3. "Is anything keeping you from doing that?"
4. "What do you want to improve?"
5. "Is anything or anyone stopping you?"
6. "How is your physical condition?"

B. What might make it difficult

7. "Do you already have solutions to your problems?"
8. "What drugs have you used?"
9. "Are things going wrong for you when you least expect it?"
10. "What other self-improving practices or therapies have you tried?"
11. "Do you remember things well?"

C. What do we know about her

12. "What type of work do you do?"
13. "What are you interested in?"
14. "Tell me about yourself"
15. "Tell me about your close relations and family"
16. "Which groups are you part of?"

D. What kind of reality does she have

17. "What do you think a human being really is?"
18. "How good could you possibly get?"



Exercise

- Do an introductory interview on somebody



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