Description

Week four is synchronous, with a class session on Saturday (09/20/25). The reading in Hepworth et al. (2023) continues the focus on developing effective communication patterns with our clients. There are forums for students to share how they have developed complex skills, discuss the impact of counterproductive patterns on involuntary clients, and consider their own communication patterns. During the in-person class session, we will practice the following skills and examine our verbal and non-verbal communication patterns. The agenda is as follows:

• Review of and practice with following skills
• Review and examples of verbal and nonverbal behavior
• Barriers to Interviewing

Learning Objectives for this week include:

• Reflect on the process of learning complex interpersonal and communication skills relevant to social work practice.
• Identify and evaluate counterproductive communication patterns that may emerge in interactions with clients, particularly those who are non-voluntary.
• Analyze the ethical and relational implications of counterproductive communication patterns.
• Identify and demonstrate effective use of verbal following skills to facilitate client engagement.
• Practice interpersonal helping skills through role-play scenarios, integrating feedback to improve self-awareness and interviewing effectiveness.
• Evaluate and apply verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to strengthen therapeutic rapport.