The counseling interview is a very common type of communication situation.  In fact, we are all called upon to offer advice to others on a daily basis.  These suggestions identify some of the skills necessary for effective counseling interviews:

• You perform the counseling role whenever you are called upon to offer advice on emotional, financial, academic, or personal problems.  These situations are very important since they directly influence sensitive aspects of others' lives.
• Effective counseling skills begin with a thoughtful self analysis including an assessment of your own feelings and communication skills.  Based upon this analysis, you must be realistic about your own counseling skills and not try to solve every problem encountered by your friends.
• You must also carefully consider the background of the interviewee so that your advice can meet that person's needs.
• Based on your analysis of your own skills as well as the needs of the other person, you must decide whether to use the directive or nondirective approach.  The directive approach is best when it is necessary for you to control the interview situation and the nondirective approach is best when the interviewee would best control the situation.
• Although the structure of the interview can vary, four stages are typically followed.   First, you should establish rapport and create a helpful climate.  Second, you should thoroughly assess the crisis/problem faced by the interviewee.  Third, you should probe more deeply into the interviewee's feelings.  Finally, you should come to some decision and offer potential solutions.
• A conducive interview climate must allow for trust, openness, and rapport between the interviewee and interviewer.  The interviewer must also be an effective listener to truly understand the feelings of the interviewee.  When appropriate, the interviewer must ask probing questions to gather more information.
• The interviewer should use a client-centered approach and provide either highly directive or highly nondirective responses.  Highly nondirective responses encourage the interviewee to continue analyzing and communicating ideas.  Highly directive responses provide the interviewee with directives and ultimatums.  These forms of responses are two ends of a continuum, and can be thought of as extremes.
• After effective closure of the interview, you should carefully evaluate the interview so that you can further refine your skills.