Interview Phases

Initial Phase and Establishment of Rapport

Every interview must have a formal beginning. The most important stage is the establishment of rapport, whose objective is to create an atmosphere of trust, warmth and security where the patient feels comfortable and free of judgments.

The first moments are decisive; an overly rigid or robotic attitude can damage the bond.

It is recommended to break the ice with simple questions about the journey to the office or the ease of finding the location, helping to regulate the initial anxiety of the patient, who often arrives with fears about whether he or she will be understood or judged.

Development or Peak Phase

After establishing trust, the development phase, also known as the Summit, is next.

In this stage, the gross information is gathered, the problem is probed, the background is deepened and the clinical dynamics are managed.

This is the moment when the therapist uses his skills to confront, clarify, interpret or apply specific techniques according to the therapeutic model, managing the information that emerges to build the clinical history or the diagnostic impression.

Closing and Feedback Phase

Closure should not be abrupt; it should be formal and structured. It is crucial to provide feedback to verify the patient's condition before the patient leaves.

It is suggested to end with key questions, "What did you notice today?", "What do you take away from the session?" and "How are you leaving emotionally?".

It is vital to clarify subjective terms; if a patient says he or she is leaving "well," the therapist should inquire what "well" means to that person at that moment (relieved, mobilized, reflective?).

Finally, the date and time of the next meeting should be explicitly agreed upon to avoid misunderstandings about the continuity of treatment.

Summary

The initial phase has the primary objective of establishing rapport, creating an atmosphere of trust and warmth where the patient feels safe to express him/herself freely without feeling judged.

During the development phase or Cima, detailed clinical information is collected and the problem is probed, allowing the therapist to apply specific techniques to manage the dynamics.

The closure should be formal and structured, verifying the patient's emotional state through feedback and explicitly agreeing on the next appointment to avoid misunderstandings about the continuity of the treatment.