This document provides an overview of the key activities and learning areas for Week 5 of CYC370. Students are asked to complete an intake session and analysis with a client, focusing on building rapport, gathering information through intake, and conducting an initial assessment. They are also to read about intake documentation and a strengths-based perspective. In preparation for their first counseling session, students select a story from their own lives to share with their assigned client and counselor for skills practice.

1. CYC370
Week Five

2. Overview of Key
Activities in Week 5
Complete baseline tape and accompanying
analysis - top priority :)
Learning Area: Introduction to intake
documentation
Learning Area: Introduction to a strengths-
based perspective to assessment
Practice Area: Preparing for Session #1
(intake/strengths)

3. Learning Area #1: Introduction
to Intake Documentation
Read your Hackney and Cormier text, “Case Illustration of the Intake
Interview” and "Client Intake Form" pp. 114-119 and 348-351.
Note: This information will be necessary for your first session with
your “client”
Individually, post your thoughts in response to the following
questions about intake and documentation in the Intake Forum:
Based on what you’ve read and your own ideas, what would you
hope a client would experience during the intake session? What
do you need to do as a practitioner to help co-construct this
experience?
What are some of the important issues to think about as
practitioners documenting clients’ lives?

4. Learning Area #2: Introduction to
a strengths-based perspective to
assessment
Read Week Five Overview
Read Week Five Notes
Read Activity 5-1
Select a question that appeals to you
Post one original response by Wednesday
Keep the conversation going by responding to at least to
other two students’ posts by Friday
Ignore the material about groups - we are moving out
of groups for this week

5. Preparation for Practice
Skills Practice = this will likely build on your baseline session
As the “client” - select a story in your life that you feel
comfortable exploring with your “counsellor” and that you feel OK
with me knowing about as your instructor.
To help you select a story, think of it on a scale from 1-10 (1 = at
the level of missing your bus and being late for work, 10 = recent/
current high level of psychological distress). Please use your
judgment to select a story that you would rate 3-5.
Remember you are sharing your story to provide a site for practice
and reflection for your “counsellor.” Please use care and discretion
in sharing a story that will maximize opportunities for learning -
not personal therapeutic benefit.
Cont -->

6. Preparation for Practice
Navigate to Activity 5-2
Complete #1 as instructed
Ignore #2, #3, #4, and #5

7. Preparing for Session #1
This is a practice session that will help you transition to Session #1 (Intake) that
you will submit to your instructor. I am adapting the course re. transition to
Moodle - so our timeline is 1 week out of sync.
Drawing ideas from:
Hackney and Cormier text, “Case Illustration of the Intake Interview” and
"Client Intake Form" pp. 114-119 and 348-351;
One of the sets of questions from Artz et al., 2001, pp. 13-18, 21-22, 25-26;
Record a session with your “client” that includes the following areas: (1)
building relationship; (2) gathering information [intake], and (3) moving
toward assessment. Record between 30-40 minutes. [You are being
asked to record this in case you do decide to submit it for grading].
Cont -->

8. Preparing for Session #1
Use the remaining time of your session (10-20 minutes) for peer supervision.
The client should provide helpful feedback to the counsellor following these
prompts. Continue recording this session.
I felt connected/heard when you ...
I felt less connected/heard when you ... [What would have been helpful
at these points of the conversation?]
Did you tell the story that you wanted to tell during your session? What
was missed?
Pose any questions you might have about your “counsellor’s” reflections,
questions, etc.
Self-rate your helping session using the “Self-Rating Form” by highlighting
the boxes that you think best corresponds to your skills. Upload to “Self-
Rating Form Drop Box” by Sunday June 12th. This form counts toward your
participation mark.

9. Well done!
This was a packed week - well done on
completing all of the learning and practice
areas!