Course overview
This course will enable students to develop and demonstrate effective human service interviewing skills and their appropriate application. Students will engage in practice-based learning to develop their skills and knowledge in interviewing and the processes associated with human service interviews. They will learn vital skills such as establishing the interview environment, attending, active listening, empathic responding and influencing. Students will learn to manage the focus of an interview and move through the stages of a human service interview such as building an empathic relationship, listening for clients’ stories and strengths, goal setting, re-storying and action. Students will learn to apply these skills to working in diverse contexts and with a diverse range of clients. This course employs a client-centred, anti-oppressive and strength-based framework. Students will also be required to demonstrate self-awareness by critically reflecting on their interviewing skills.
Course learning outcomes
- Critically examine the purposes and processes of interviewing in social work and the human services
- Use basic skills in interviewing, such as establishing the interview environment, attending, active listening, empathic responding and influencing
- Manage the focus of an interview and moving through the stages of an interview
- Apply knowledge of client-centred, anti-oppressive and strength-based practice to working in diverse contexts and with a range of clients
- Demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to critically reflect on their own skills and effectiveness in the conduct of an interview
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If you are studying in a Professional Pathway Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Social Work program, please refer to the Student Contributions amounts published here.
The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.