Philip M. Ouellette, Ph.D.
S332 Generalist Social Work Practice II
Indiana University School of Social Work
OBSERVATION SHEET
CONTEMPLATING PHASE OF INTERVENTION PROCESS
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Social Worker:
Process observers:
Date of Interview: ______20______
Phase of Intervention
[ ] Engagement [ ] Contemplating [ ] Change Facilitation [ ]Termination
Skills being observed
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CONTEMPLATING PHASE
Skill # 1: Elucidating the Presenting Problem
ACTION / YES / NO / N/ASocial Worker actively listens to the client-system=s concerns by asking open ended questions
Social Worker obtains precise description of presenting problem and sequence of events
Social Worker summarizes the essence of the problem being presented and validates with the client-system
Social Worker encourages participation by all significant others when necessary
Philip M. Ouellette, Ph.D.
S332 Generalist Social Work Practice II
Indiana University School of Social Work
Skill # 2: Centering on Immediate Process
ACTION / YES / NO / N/ASocial Worker avoids premature closure on information
Social Worker comments on the observable behavorial evidence in the immediate process
Social Worker invites comment on significant observable events
Social Worker refocuses the discussion when the client-system sidetracks
Social Worker avoids long digressions
Social Worker elicits clarification of relevant information
Social Worker inquires abut issues in a clear, focused manner
Skill # 3: Exploring Interpersonal Issues
ACTION / YES / NO / N/ASocial Worker stimulates spontaneous interaction between members of the client-system
Social Worker observes for recurrent patterns of behavior that confirms or denies a triangulation process among members of a client-system
Social Worker elicits descriptions of routine life to clarify the boundaries within the client-system and between the client-system and external systems
Social Worker observes for behaviors that confirms alignments and coalitions between members of the client-system
Social Worker stimulates members of the client-system to share their beliefs to validate their hypothesis
Skill # 4 Clarifying Individual Issues
ACTION / YES / NO / N/ASocial Worker starts exploration of an individual=s issues by asking directly how he/she perceives it himself
Social Worker stimulates other members of the client-system to share their perceptions concerning an individual=s problem
Social Worker seeks the individual=s consent to explore the perceptions of significant others of his/her problem(s) and curtails the inquiry if blaming becomes severe
Social Worker summarizes some individual problems at the a level that can be understood by the client-system for validation or corrective feedback
Social Worker is aware of the advantages and disadvantages of exploring an individual=s problem with individuals alone, in subsystems, or in the family context
Skill # 5 Developing a Plan of Action
ACTION / YES / NO / N/ASocial Worker explores the constructive problem-solving resources of the client-system
Social Worker explores multiple factors involved in the presenting problem
Social Worker enumerates multiple problems rather than adhere to a single diagnostic impression
Social Worker defines and formulates the presenting problem operationally and develops a hypothesis that can be tested
Social Worker redefines individual problems or issues at the interpersonal level as opposed to the intrapsychic level
Social Worker prioritises interpersonal problems at the most relevant systems level (ex. Whole family, couple, parent-child, sibling levels or at the external systems level.
Social Worker involves the client-system in selecting a target problem and in setting clear goals and objectives for the outcome of intervention