Instructions for Case Presentation

The intent of this classic human services training exercise is to insure that you have had a chance to view yourself on video doing the empathic work of a human services professional You can learn much about yourself, your style of helping, and your level of skill by reviewing the tape. Along with the tape, you are asked to do another tried-and-true training assignment: to create a typed transcript of a ten or fifteen minute segment of the videotape which contains at least one exchange between you and your client which is highly representative of your empathy (mark the empathic exchange in red on the transcript). You are also asked to write a brief statement (one page, single spaced) about (a) why you believe the exchange was empathic, and (b) what you were trying to do at that moment in the interview (Rationale). Finally, you will submit along with this material your position statement on counselor empathy (Empathy Statement), i. e., how did you show empathy, why is this important.

While not every student will be able to do the videotape in the preferred way (with a client from the internship site), all should be able to complete the assignment by finding someone (a friend or someone in the community) who has a mild problem or issue which he or she would be willing to talk about in a counseling-type relationship. Remember, the primary purpose is to give you a chance to see yourself doing counseling and giving empathy (it also is important for assessment purposes). Therefore, the video camera should be focused mainly on you as you conduct the interview (if your client appears within the frame that is fine; remember to obtain the signed consent form from your client).

If the videotaped interview has been obtained at your internship setting, you will most likely use it as the core of your case presentation (along with your case notes and plans) to your site adjunct instructor and your peers in the required case conference. If, however, you have obtained the interview "off-site," you may want to present it as an addition to the more central case (a client with whom you have worked at your site). Still a third possibility exists, of course, and that is the whole of your case presentation will center on the "off-site" televised interview and client. Please discuss in advance with your site adjunct instructor what you intend to do .

To recapitulate, the elements of the videotape assignment are:

1. Create and review with your site adjunct a VHS videotape of yourself doing a counseling interview with a client drawn from either your internship site or elsewhere. The interview (tape) should be 45 minutes in length, minimally. (See cueing instructions below.) Make sure you obtain your client's signed consent form. This must be a standard videotape, not one of the smaller ones that requires a converter.

2. Create and submit a typed transcript of a portion of the taped interview (10 or 15 minutes will run to four or more pages; make sure you designate counselor and client. THIS TRANSCRIPT MUST CONTAIN AT LEAST ONE EXCHANGE WHICH IS REPRESENTATIVE OF YOUR EMPATHY; PLEASE MARK THE EMPATHIC EXCHANGE IN RED. BEFORE YOU SUBMIT IT, PLEASE CUE UP THE VIDEOTAPE SO THAT IT WILL START AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EMPATHY (MARKED IN RED) SEGMENT.

3. Write and submit a brief statement (no more than one page, single spaced) about a) why you believe the exchange was empathic, and b) what you were trying to do at that moment in the interview (rationale).

4. Submit case notes (why the client is there, the presenting problem, any relevant history) and a case plan (what you did with the client, what are the future needs of the client, and how can those needs may best be met). Resources to help with this step can include, Seligman, L. (1996). Diagnosis and treatment planning in counseling (2nd ed.). New York: Plenum Press, and Halley, A., Kopp, J., & Austin, M. (1998). Delivering human services: A learning approach to practice (4th ed.). New York: Longman. You may also use whatever format is required at your internship site.

5. Students will do a case presentation for their Site Adjunct Instructor. The videotape, the case notes, case plan, rationale, empathy statement, transcript, and consent form must be stored by the Site Adjunct instructor for one calendar year prior to their being destroyed.