PROCESS RECORDING
Directions: Identify a client that you will use for your process recording (a “client” can
be considered an individual, consumer of services or inter-professional colleague, family,
group, organization or community that you work with in your field placement). You can
complete the notes referring to preparation ahead of the meeting, but be sure to not
schedule anything after the meeting so that you can complete the rest of the process
recording immediately after the meeting. This will take time, so ensure that you have
ample time to complete this after your meeting.
This recording should be shared with the students’ field instructor during supervision.
This recording should not become part of the client’s official record. Process recordings
are not a required field assignment, although some field instructors will require weekly
process recordings.
1. Preparation: (Include what the rationale for the contact, prospective agenda,
anticipation of obstacles, ideas about what methods will be used, what information will
be obtained, what issues will be focused on during interaction etc, feelings you have
about the meeting):
The next sections you may want to put in a column form so that you can write down
comments in each area as it reflects to the content of your interaction with the client.
Please address the following areas:
2. Observation: (Begin this section by identifying who was present, description of the
client(s), unique and unusual factors about the client including cultural considerations
such as impact of age, race, gender, sexual orientation etc).. To the best of your memory,
record verbatim what took place in the interaction you just had with the client. Include
verbal and non-verbal interaction as it unfolded. Use quotes when you are reflecting
actual conversation. End with recording any changes that occurred since your last
contact, during the contact and what was accomplished (if anything).
3. Skills: (Record what skills you used and your rationale for utilization of particular
skills or interventions at different points in your interaction. Note why you may have
chosen to change your approach)
4. Thoughts and Analysis: (Record your impressions of the interaction and what your
intention and assessment was of the interaction. This should include unspoken thoughts
and reactions to the client, your own thoughts about how you were functioning and
managing during the interaction, your impressions about the client’s strengths, capacity,
and motivation. Provide a critical evaluation of the interaction and your progress
towards the goals you are working on with the client. Questions that can be addressed in
this section include “What did I learn about my ability to apply skills and/or knowledge?
What do I need to know more about in terms of my client? What went well? What was
difficult? What might I do differently? Why did I choose to do what I did)?
5. Planning: (Record what direction you may go in the next meeting with the client,
what your sense is of what the client will be doing and what you need to do to prepare for
the next meeting. This may include making collateral contacts, asking the client to do
“homework”, revising contract with client in the next meeting etc.)
6. Questions: (Record questions you plan to discuss in supervision regarding both
student and client needs).
7. Supervision Notes: A section should also be included for the supervisors comments
and suggestions.