Laying the Foundation

Assessment Tools/Interviewing/Goal Setting

Initial Referrals and Intakes

School SettingReferral Form should include:

- Referring Person- Reason for Referral- Has Parent Been Notified?- Description of Behaviors/Concerns - Duration of Behavior- Good time to meet with Student

Clinical SettingInitial Conversation Should Include:- Who was person referred by?- Reason for seeking counseling- Duration of behaviors- Past counseling experience- Payment/Insurance- Set up Initial Intake - Both parents if possible

• This is a great time to screen• Know who you will and will not accept as a

new client• If unsure, agree to meet with parents until

you make up your mind

Why Initial Conversations are Important

What to Ask in Initial Parent Intakes

Start at present, work backwardsMost concerning issues firstSleeping/Eating HabitsRoutinesDiscipline StyleFamily SystemLearning IssuesDevelopmental Milestones

What to Look for in Initial Intakes

• The level of stress parents bring in• Dynamics between parents. Where they

sit. Who is more dominate? Overwhelmed? Most concerned?

• Are the parents psychologically minded?

• Do they want you to “fix” their child?

Things to Remember• If you feel uneasy, refer out.• Don’t make promises about progress.• Have paperwork that will cover you

including:– Practice policies– Payment policies– Permission to work with minors

Assessment following Intake“It sounds like _________ is going on.”“This is what I think may work.”“I suggest we meet __________ often.”In the meantime, here are some tools:

- books to read- suggestions for communication- behavior modification strategies

Assessment Tools for Kids

• Self Esteem Questionnaire• Finger Puppet Genogram• Feeleez• Create Your World - Sandtray• Family Drawing, Self Portrait

Setting Goals

Individualized Treatment Plan

Problem 1:_________________Behaviors to be changed:___________________________________________________________________

Interventions: ____________________________ _______________________________________

_______________________________________Observable indicators of Improvement:____________

_____________________________________________Review Date:______

Individualized Treatment Plan

Problem 1: Anxiety

Behaviors to be changed: crying during storms, excessive worry about going to school, refusal to go to social events

Interventions: square breathing, acknowledging feelings in the body, identifying strengthsObservable indicators of Improvement: is able to stay in room during storms, less complaints about school, attends social eventsReview Date:______

Additional Methods of Determining Progress

Worry TrackerI Did it! ListBehavior ContractsStress Rating - 1-10Bringing Journal inMeeting with Parents (of young children)

Discussing Goals with Parents of Young Children

Meet with Parents 1x/Month to discuss progress

Meet with parents first 10 min/session to gather information (if safe relationship between parent and child)

As children get older, minimize communication with parents

Discussing Goals with Adolescents

Talk about their goals (not their parents goals)

Write the ones that were accomplished down along with the date

Determine progressDiscuss frequency of sessions