The Angry Couple Worksheet

Watch the first 25 minutes of”, “The Angry Couple” video located on the student website. Read the Mental Health Facilitator Module 5 “Using Questions.” Consider the three-stage model of interviewing as you watch the video. Provide two to three examples from the video for each of the following stages:

Exploration stage- The exploration stage explores the couples problems and how they feel. It explores previous treatments they may have had. Judi was upset because she felt that her husband did not listen to her and her anger would escalate. Judith wanted to have a family and Richard felt that the time was not right. This is the portion where in one learns about attending behavior and how it sharpens ones general learning skills and how eye contact is appropriate at this level. Along with effective questioning, reflective content this will help with turning on of the emotions. It also helps to be able to hear as reflect clearly.

Reflective feelings and integration ones exploration during interviewing that allows one to see how well they have mastered the skills thus far. Also effective listening requires the ability to hear and reflect clearly and be able to hear both the verbal and nonverbal content of the client’s statements. Clarification stage- During the clarification stage the therapist makes sure she is understanding everything that is being said and that she understands the goal of each individual. The therapist restated what Judith wanted and also what Richard wanted.

With clarification it allows clients to clearly express what they experiences and develop goals. With clarification comes confrontation which involves identification discrepancies or inconsistencies in a client’s behavior and this can be brought fourth in therapy and a resolution can be found. When interviewing it can be a good idea for the therapist to share what they have observed from the interview so the client can see what they are showing people around them. It could be an important skill for a client to self-disclose however it should be done with caution and has to be done in away where the client does not take over the interview or deprive the client of the needed room or time for self-exploration. Action stage- During the action stage the therapist dug deep into the couples problem and what made them both angry.

She had them listen to each others concerns and understand them. Interrupting was stopped. Then we have the information giving where all interviewers must provide information to clients every so often. This can take form in orientating statement, instructions, feedback, a reframe or an informational statement. Then of course the norm of for clients to experience some degree of discomfort or reluctance during an interview. A client must feel the structuring for exploration, clarification and action.

List and describe the effective interview skills demonstrated by the interviewer in the video. In your opinion, was the interviewer successful? Explain your response. The interviewer spoke to both individuals equally. She asked many open ended questions and repeated what was said to show that she understood and was listening. She had each individual explain their concerns to the other calmly and repeat the concern to the other.

List five effective questions the interviewer used in the video. For each question, describe the following:

Was the question appropriate to the discussion? Explain your response. Provide an example of another way to ask the question. Which is the better question? Explain your response.

1. Have you been in therapy before? This question was appropriate to the discussion because it gave the counselor previous information about the couple’s treatments and why it did not work before. It explains why the couple is here. Another way to ask this question would be Have you looked for other services before? The first question is however more to the point and specific.

2. What are you feeling right now? This question allows the individual to explore their feelings and say them aloud. They may be confused with how they are feeling and the therapist can help sort these feelings out. Another way to ask this question would be what are your thoughts? It means the same thing, but it can also mean more then how are you feeling.

3. How frequently do you get this upset at home? The therapist sees Judith’s anger as it progresses when the topic is discussed. This question can be used to see how often Judith get upset with Richard at home. It also brings it into the next step into what can be done to prevent anger. Another way to ask this question would be…How does your anger escalate to this point at home?

4. Richard what have you been experiencing as you been listening to us talk? This gives Richard a chance to tell how he is feeling as Judith get a chance to tell her side. What does he feel about what she’s saying? Does he agree/disagree? Another way of asking this question would be; how do you feel about Judith’s side of the story?

5. What is it that you want? The therapist is asking what Judith wants to get from her therapy and also what she wants from her husband. This gives her the opportunity to really think about what she wants from the therapy session. Another way to ask this question would be; what outcome would you like to receive from our sessions?