Process Recording Outline
Use the information below as a guide as you complete each column of the “Interview Log” in Section II of the Process Recording Outline.
Column Heading
Interview Content
(May Also Include Client
Behavior – i.e., Non-Verbal
Communication)
How to Complete the Column
Use a dialogue format to record the exchanges you thought were important in
your interaction with the client(s). For example:
T: Tell me what you mean by “alright.”
C: Like I’d rather be at home but I can’t be.
(T = Therapist
Sample_Process_Recording
C = Client)
Describe Clients
Feelings/Affect
Record how you perceived the client(s) was feeling, moment-to-moment, as the
activity or verbal interchange was taking place.
Describe Your Gut
Level Feelings
Record how you were feeling as the activity or verbal interchange was taking
place. Do not use this column to analyze the client’s reactions; instead, use it to
identify and look at your feelings. Be as open and honest as you can and don’t
worry about having to use any special professional language. Tell it as you feel
it.
What Interviewing Skills Did
You Use During This
Interaction?
List the appropriate labels for the interviewing skills you used in your interaction
with the client(s), for example, “exploration,” “summarization,” or “clarification.”
Use the Wisconsin Guide Section III in your field manual as a reference.
Supervisory
Comments
The supervisor will use this section to provide written commentary and feedback
on your interactions with the client(s) in order to help you move towards greater
proficiency in your knowledge, skills, and planning.
J. DeBonis  Page 1
PROCESS RECORDING OUTLINE
Student's Name:
Ima A. Student
Client's Initials:
_________________
__EA___ Interview Date: _10__/_06_/_08__ Session #: 1
__17___ Date Submitted: _10__/_08_/_08__ Date Reviewed
Client’s Age:
Client’s Ethnicity:Latino-Mexican
in Supervision: _10_/_20_/_08
I.
Purpose of the Session (Clearly state the goals and objectives you had in meeting with this client this session.)
II.
Interview Log (Refer to face sheet for category instructions) T = Therapist
Purpose of session was to complete intake, assess if client qualifies for services, and build rapport.
Interview Content
(May Also Include Client
Behavior – i.e., Non-Verbal
Communication)
Describe Clients
Feelings/Affect
T: Hi Eric. My name is Ima
and I’m an MSW Intern
here at LHLA. I’m just
going to be asking you
some questions to see how
we can best assist you. Is
that OK with you?
C: Yeah, that’s fine.
Uninterested
T: So I know you’re at a
group home. Tell me what
that’s like.
C: It’s alright I guess.
Uninterested, bored
T: What do you mean by
alright?
C: Like, I’d rather be
Frustrated
Sample_Process_Recording
C = Client Example client’s name = Eric
Describe Your Gut
Level Feelings
Nervous, unsure,
scared
Still nervous, a little
more prepared
Confused
What Interviewing Skills Did
You Use During This
Interaction?
Rapport building,
clarification of my role,
asking for client’s
agreement/acceptance
Supervisory
Comments
You might in future
research a bit more
about HUB process―
what your role is and
in what ways you
might be able to help
Nonverbal head nod
Open ended?
Clarification via open
ended?
Nonverbal cues
This is good―asking
him what he means
by …
J. DeBonis  Page 2
Interview Content
(May Also Include Client
Behavior – i.e., Non-Verbal
Communication)
Describe Clients
Feelings/Affect
home but I can’t be.
T: Why can’t you be at
home?
Describe Your Gut
Level Feelings
Confused
What Interviewing Skills Did
You Use During This
Interaction?
Clarification
Why are you confused
here? Seems like you
know where to take
things.
This is a good moment
―seems like you were
finally able to get at
something real
C: Cuz my mom kicked me Sad, angry, confused,
out after I stole her car. resentful
[Looks sadly down at floor]
T: It seems like you’re
really sad about not being
able to be at home.
Sad, contemplative
Empathic, sad
Statement/rephrase of
client’s feelings
C: I miss seeing my
Sad, pensive
brothers and sisters.
T: When did you last se
them?
C: Like 6 months ago
Sad, worried, regretful
before I got arrested &
sent to Taft.
T: That must be really
difficult for you to not be
around them.
C: Yeah, they’re all
Contemplative
younger than me. They
look up to me.
Really sad
Empathy
Sample_Process_Recording
Supervisory
Comments
Rapport building
Really sad
Empathic, sad
Reflecting client’s
feelings/rephrase
Felt sorry for him
Active listening
Good. You might have
asked him to tell you
about them, giving him a
chance to disclose
things without directly
talking about how he
feels
J. DeBonis  Page 3
Interview Content
(May Also Include Client
Behavior – i.e., Non-Verbal
Communication)
Describe Clients
Feelings/Affect
Describe Your Gut
Level Feelings
T: How do you feel about
being the oldest?
C: I don’t like talking
Frustrated, annoyed
about feelings. My other
therapist makes me do it
all the time.
Try to bring up
something positive
T: That’s fine. We don’t
have to talk about your
feelings. What do you
want to talk about?
Stuck
Sample_Process_Recording
What Interviewing Skills Did
You Use During This
Interaction?
Letting client know I
understand and it’s OK
to feel that way
Supervisory
Comments
It is OK to feel that
way―but you might have
pursued the “makes me
do it” and asked about
what else he feels
forced about
Would ask directly: Do
you feel you were
“made” to see me?
J. DeBonis  Page 4
III.
Impressions/Assessment
A. Identify presenting issues. Include clients’ cognitions (basic beliefs about self, others, and the world), and the impact those had on you.
Client expressed mild sadness and major frustration regarding not being able to live at home and being away from his siblings.
I felt sad for the client because it seemed like he was genuinely concerned about his siblings.
Seems also that he is sadder than he lets on about it.
Also there is a vagueness about exactly why mom won’t
take him back.
B. Describe the clients’ affect and behaviors and what effect they had on you.
Client had a sad affect at times that made me feel a little sad and at other times was somewhat uninterested and/or resistant
which made me feel like I was asking too many serious questions.
That can be damaging for the clinician, especially when the client is not
really voluntary. If it feels like a problem you can address it directly
either with an interpretation or questions.
C. Identify any recurring themes and patterns if applicable.
Frustration, sadness.
Seems like “being forced to do things” vs.
“not doing what you are supposed to.”
Also, theme of being thrown away.
D. What cultural factors were you aware of during the interaction? How did these factors influence the session?
Client family is undocumented which leads to more stress for all family members.
Other cultural levels too―having been
incarcerated and what that means to the family.
IV.
Interventions
A. Describe how at least one of your interventions was effective/not effective to the needs of the client(s).
My clarifying via asking open-ended questions helped me gain better understanding of some topics.
Sample_Process_Recording
J. DeBonis  Page 5
B. What would you change and why?
I would have focused more on the client’s likes and dislikes so I could have connected with him earlier in the session.
Sounds like you did connect when you showed an interest in what he was
talking about―for example, about his siblings. Sometimes that works
better than just asking about likes and dislikes.
V.
Professional Use of Self
A. How did you use your own body language, space, and voice?
I sat in the same posture as the client and remained at the client’s level the entire session.
What about voice?
B. Describe your own feelings and how they impacted the interview process and client(s).
My initial nervousness caused me to seem unorganized at first.
Good to be aware of. You’ll get more comfortable once you have
done it a few times. It’s OK to take a few breaths and engage
in some positive self-talk to stay on track.
VI.
Issues, Questions, or Problems: List questions for supervisory discussion.
What would you have done further if he had not already been involved with
another therapist? What would a care plan for him have been?
VII. Plan (complete in supervision): Make plans with supervisor regarding future contact(s) and intervention(s) with client(s).
What do you plan to do next with this case?
Sample_Process_Recording
J. DeBonis  Page 6