Interviewing Skills in Social Work and Human Services

This course will enable students to develop and demonstrate effective human service interviewing skills and their appropriate application. Students will engage in practice-based learning to develop their skills and knowledge in interviewing and the processes associated with human service interviews. They will learn vital skills such as establishing the interview environment, attending, active listening, empathic responding and influencing. Students will learn to manage the focus of an interview and move through the stages of a human service interview such as building an empathic relationship, listening for clients’ stories and strengths, goal setting, re-storying and action. Students will learn to apply these skills to working in diverse contexts and with a diverse range of clients. This course employs a client-centred, anti-oppressive and strength-based framework. Students will also be required to demonstrate self-awareness by critically reflecting on their interviewing skills.