ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 describes a five-session model for structuring the initial assessment sessions. The model begins with the initial interview, which addresses important tasks such as joining, providing informed consent, setting goals, beginning assessment, and creating a sense of hope for the couple. The chapter next covers how to conduct a communication sample and relationship history, the focus of the second session. The third and fourth sessions are devoted to doing individual interviews with each partner. The chapter discusses areas that should be assessed in the individual interviews, as well as ethical considerations around confidentiality when doing these interviews. The fifth session is devoted to providing the clients feedback, which is addressed in more detail in the final chapter. The chapter concludes with a description of important techniques that therapists can use during assessment, including asking clinical questions, using observation, and administering assessment instruments.
