Discussion Questions
Chapter 3: The Biopsychosocial Interview
1. The purpose of the biopsychosocial is to find out exactly what the problems are and where they
came from. Knowing what to include in the biopsychosocial report requires careful
consideration of the counselor. What steps can you take to make certain that you include
important and necessary details of the client’s life?
2. How comfortable do you feel with the biopsychosocial interview? What are you aware of that
could cause you difficulty in completing the biopsychosocial interview? What strategies could
you use to avoid those difficulties from impeding your ability to complete the interview process?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the biopsychosocial interview?
4. The efficacy of the biopsychosocial interview requires the client to disclose important and
significant information about his or her life. You must understand the facts and how the client
feels about the situation. However, at times, it might be difficult to obtain significant
information if a client is not willing to disclose necessary information, either out of
embarrassment, resistance, or denial. Keeping that in mind, how might you deal with a client
who is reluctant to share information?
5. Review the biopsychosocial interview provided in the chapter. As you review the interview
process, make notes about the things you notice the counselor doing that seems helpful. What
does the counselor do to keep the interview focused on developing an understanding of the
various aspects of Patty’s life story?
6. Some of the questions asked during the interview are delicate in nature (e.g. sexual abuse). Are
there different strategies you may consider when the client is of the opposite sex? An
Adolescent?