Fall 2026 SOWK 486w Week 04 - How We Help - Getting Started with Direct Practice

A presentation at Heritage University in September 2026 by Jacob Campbell and is tagged with Heritage University, BASW Program, SOWK 486w

A presentation slide titled 'Getting Started with Direct Practice' by Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LICSW for Heritage University, SOWK 486w Fall 2026. Two black silhouetted figures—one reaching out to assist the other—illustrate the concept 'HOW WE HELP,' representing collaborative helping or mentoring. The silhouette is credited to OpenAI 2025.

A presentation slide displays 'Plan for Week 04' in a teal sidebar containing an agenda covering phases of the helping process, motivation and rapport, client interviewing, and ethical dilemmas. The right side presents four learning objectives: describing the three phases of the helping process and key tasks; practicing techniques for starting interviews and engaging clients; identifying communication styles affecting trust; and analyzing ethical dilemmas using professional values. Footer shows 'How We Help,' 'Fall 2026,' and 'Dr. Jacob Campbell at Heritage University.'

A presentation slide featuring 'FIRST IMPRESSIONS' as the central title, with prompting questions on the left: 'What would you do? What would you wear? How would you feel?' and 'Who would you want to meet?' The right side displays a dense collage of historical black-and-white and color photographs of various people from different time periods, illustrating diverse faces and appearances. Footer credits the activity to Customer Service Training Helper and identifies it as part of Heritage University's Fall 2026 SOWK 486w course taught by Dr. Jacob Campbell.

A three-column table presenting phases of the helping process: Phase I (Exploration, Engagement, Assessment, Planning) includes exploring client problems, establishing rapport, formulating assessments, negotiating goals, and making referrals. Phase II (Implementation and Goal Attainment) involves prioritizing goals, selecting evidence-based interventions, planning task implementation, maintaining focus and continuity, monitoring progress, addressing barriers, and using self-disclosure. Phase III (Evaluation and Termination) focuses on assessing goal attainment, developing maintenance strategies, and successfully terminating the helping relationship.

A presentation slide titled 'Phases of the Helping Process' displays three sequential phases represented as colored circles (1: Exploration, Engagement, Assessment, and Planning; 2: Implementation and Goal Attainment; 3: Evaluation and Termination) against a blue-gray background. Below is a small group discussion prompt asking about the benefits and challenges of structuring helping in a systemic process. Attribution: Hepworth et al., 2023; Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LICSW at Heritage University.

A presentation slide titled 'Case Study 2-1: Social Work Practice from an Ecological Perspective' displays Teater's (2014) phases of the helping process on the left—Preparatory, Initial: Getting Started, Ongoing: Working Toward Goals, and Ending: Bringing the Shared Work and the Relationship to a Close. The right side instructs students to review the case study starting on page 38 and answer two questions: identifying the social worker's initial focus and connecting Hepworth et al. (2023) themes to Teater's case study phases. Footer credits Dr. Jacob Campbell at Heritage University, Fall 2026.

A presentation slide displays 'RAPPORT' as the main heading with a teal sidebar on the left labeled 'Phase I: Exploration, Engagement, Assessment, & Planning' with subtitle 'Establishing rapport and enhancing motivation.' The main content area lists three bullet points: 'Relationship description with strong rapport,' 'Look and feel of a strong rapport,' and 'Developing strong rapport.' Footer attribution notes Fall 2026 SOWK 486w, Hepworth et al. (2023), and Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LICSW at Heritage University.

A presentation slide displaying two contrasting lists: MAINTAIN behaviors (client comfort, confidentiality, enthusiasm, collaborative relationship, interest in concerns, objectivity, attentiveness, eye contact, open posture) versus AVOID behaviors (passing judgement, jargon and technical language, authoritarian demeanor, interruptions) for improving client trust in social work practice.

A presentation slide titled 'Strategies and Behaviors That Improve Client Trust' lists characteristics practitioners should embody (dependable, open-minded, flexible, reassuring, confident, friendly, genuine, warm, sincere, honest, empowering, engaging) alongside interpersonal qualities (respectful of client wishes, sensitive, empathetic, altruistic) and communication techniques to use (open-ended questions, rationales for procedures/treatments/decisions). From Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LICSW at Heritage University, Fall 2026 SOWK 486w, citing Leach, 2005.

A vintage office workspace titled 'Office Setup' features minimal wooden furniture, scattered papers and sketches on cream walls, a desk with task lighting near tall windows, and documents arranged throughout, suggesting a creative or design-focused environment with natural light flooding the minimalist interior.

A man in glasses and a cowboy hat expressing surprise or concern while looking to the right in an office setting with blinds. Slide text reads 'WHO'S GUIDING THE INTERVIEW.'

Two illustrated figures face each other, holding a banner that reads 'What questions would you use to interview during Phase I.' Above, text explains that questions can be categorized by answering essential questions about who the person is, their situation (strengths, resources, networks, needs), and their presenting problem. Slide from Fall 2026 SOWK 486w at Heritage University.

A bearded man in dark clothing sits pensively on a leather chair with his hand on his face against a teal background. The slide is titled 'THE INITIAL INTERVIEW' in large white text. Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash.

Presentation slide titled 'INTERVIEW STRUCTURE' displaying three key components as bulleted points: Rapport, Starting with client motivation, and Use of an interpreter. Footer indicates this is from Fall 2026 SOWK 486w at Heritage University, attributed to Hepworth et al. (2023) and Jacob Campbell.

A presentation slide titled 'Discussing Problematic Situations' lists three key considerations: Determine clients' expectations, Cultural differences, and Assesses the significance of information. Footer indicates this is from Fall 2026 SOWK 486w at Heritage University, taught by Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW, citing Hepworth et al. (2023).

A presentation slide titled 'FOCUSING IN DEPTH' displays three bulleted focus areas: clients' emotional reactions, clients' opinions and interpretations, and substance abuse, violence, and sexual abuse. It appears in a Fall 2026 SOWK 486w course presentation by Jacob Campbell at Heritage University, citing Hepworth et al., 2023.

A presentation slide displaying the title 'PROCESS OF GOAL NEGOTIATION' with two key bullet points: mutually negotiating goals and formulating a contract, and continued use of interviewing skills. The slide is part of Fall 2026 SOWK 486w course material at Heritage University.

A presentation slide titled 'Cardinal Values' featuring pen and notebook illustrations, explaining scenario exercises that encourage discussion of personal-professional value conflicts. Text prompts reflection on implications of not upholding profession's values and instructs students to write about value dilemmas in practicum journals. From Fall 2026 SOWK 486w at Heritage University by Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LICSW.

A flowchart titled 'Steps in Ethical Decision-Making' presents nine numbered steps connected by dotted lines: 1) Identify problem/dilemma; 2) Determine core principles; 3) Review ethics codes; 4) Review applicable laws; 5) Consult colleagues/experts; 6) Consider possible courses of action; 7) Decide on action; 8) Develop implementation strategy; 9) Evaluate process and results. The diagram shows an iterative decision-making framework for professional ethics in social work contexts.

An ethical dilemma slide presents a workplace case where a classmate Googles and Facebook-researches agency clients, claiming it's public information and harmless, while workers in another placement Snapchat mocking photos of clients. A green text box poses four reflective questions: conflicting principles and values at play, pros and cons of various actions, applicable guidelines, and consultable resources for ethical decision-making. Labeled 'Ethics Case 1' from a social work course.

Presentation slide 'Ethics Case 2' presents an ethical dilemma about a youth group leader in a state correctional facility navigating confidentiality vs. disclosure of group members' unreported offenses or institutional rule violations. It poses four guiding questions: What conflicting principles and values are in play? What are the pros and cons of various courses of action? What guidelines are applicable? What resources could help decide an ethical course of action?

An ethics case study slide presenting a social work intake interview scenario where a young woman at a family agency appears defensive and withdrawn, mentions feeling overwhelmed with parenting and fears harming her children, then abruptly leaves with her children. Below, four guiding questions prompt reflection on conflicting principles, action alternatives, applicable guidelines, and consultation resources for ethical decision-making in this dilemma.

A presentation slide titled 'ETHICS CASE 5' describes a mental health agency scenario: a middle-aged male client with history of violence, under work stress, is extremely angry in interview, clenching fists, threatening 'they'll be sorry' if fired. Below, four discussion questions prompt analysis: What conflicting principles and values are in play? What are the pros and cons of various courses of action? What guidelines apply? What resources could help decide an ethical course of action?

Dr. Jacob Campbell

23 slides

Description

Week four is a continuation of laying the groundwork for this course. It provides an overview of the helping process. Hepworth et al. (2023) categorize the helping process into three phases.

Phase I: Exploration, Engagement, Assessment, and Planning
Phase II: Implementation and Goal Attainment
Phase III: Evaluation and Termination

During the session, we will examine an overview of the considerations we should have in each phase. We will also examine how we establish the environment with our clients and what the interview process entails. Finally, we will spend some time discussing some potential ethical dilemmas. The agenda is:

Phases of the helping process
Getting started with the helping process, motivation, and rapport
Interviewing clients
Values and ethical dilemmas

The Learning Objectives this week include:

Describe the three phases of the helping process and identify key tasks associated with each phase.
Practice and evaluate techniques for starting the interview, engaging clients, and initiating assessment.
Identify behaviors and communication styles that enhance or inhibit client trust and motivation.
Analyze ethical dilemmas using professional values and guidelines to inform decision-making in complex situations.