Effective Interviewing of Children : A Comprehensive Guide for Counselors and Human Service Workers

Interviews comprise the majority of professionals’ interactions with children. In order to conduct effective interviews, professionals must possess effective communication skills, as well as knowledge of growth and developmental issues, data collection, and analysis.

Though this is an important area of study, there has yet to be a book that effectively addresses this topic. In most cases, students studying to become clinicians are forced to rely on the observations of practicing professionals to learn child-focused interview techniques.

Effective Interviewing of Children is unique in that it is the only comprehensive resource for information on child-focused interviews. The authors differentiate between child- and adult-focused interviews, present an integrated account of the literature on child-focused interviews, and offer techniques and suggestions for addressing developmental differences. Chapters address a wide range of topics including child and professional variables, effective use of language, children with special needs, ethics in interviewing, research interviews, and diagnostic clinical interviews.

Aimed at upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, this book is essential for clinically oriented programs such as mental health counseling, social work, psychology, and marriage and family therapy. The book is also of interest to practicing professionals who seek to expand their knowledge of child-focused interview techniques.