Conducting the initial interview

There is no one place to begin an initial interview, but experts recommend that counselor start by trying to make their clients feel comfortable (Cormier & Hackney 2008). According to Myers 2000, Counselors should set aside their own agendas and focus on the person of the client, including listening to the clients story and presenting issues. This types of behavior, in which there is a genuine interest in and accepting of a client, is known as rapport.

Ivey & Ivey 2007, state that the two most important microskills for rapport building are basic attending behavior and client observation skills. A counselor needs to tune in to what the client is thinking and feeling and how he or she is behaving. In the process, counselor sensitivity to client-generated metaphors may help to convey understanding of the client’s unique way of knowing and at the same time contribute to the development of a shared language and collaborative bond between the client and counselor.

The amount of talking that clients engage in and the insight and benefits derived from the initial interview can be enhanced by the counselor who appropriately conveys empathy, encouragement, support, caring, attentiveness, acceptance and genuineness. Of all of those qualities, empathy is the most important.