Communication and Interviewing Skills for Practice in Social Work, Counselling and the Health Professions

Patricia Higham is a registered social worker and counsellor, and served as a non-executive director and lay member of NHS organisations in Nottinghamshire. She completed a BA degree at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, a postgraduate social work qualification at the University of Sheffield, a PhD at Cranfield University, and a part time counselling qualification over a three-year period. She is Professor of Social Work (emeritus) at Nottingham Trent University. She worked part time for the Quality Assurance Agency, Skills for Care, DeMontfort University, and for the Health and Care Professions Council. Her experience includes statutory social work in Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, and mental health outreach in a rural area of Pennsylvania, USA. She is a life member of the British Association of Social Workers and a member of the National Association of Social Workers, USA. She is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. She volunteers as a counsellor two days a week for charities that support women who experience domestic violence.

'A good basic textbook for both students and those with many years of experience. It is readable, easy to understand, and contains a number of practical teaching examples. If I was starting out in the caring profession I would buy this book.' - Barbara Coleman, BA. MA. MTh. M.Phil. SRN, SCM, HV cert., HV Tutor Cert., Cert Ed. Cert of Christian Studies, Cert of Higher Education in Theology, Cert. of Christian Counselling, Staff Tutor in Theology, Chester University for Ordinands and Reader training'As a nurse with 25 years of experience, and as a student of counselling, I found the book extremely useful for expanding my knowledge on this vast subject. The examples offered throughout the text make the reading easy and very enjoyable. I recommend this volume to students and professionals, as I am sure all readers will be able to apply some of the acquired knowledge into their professional practice, as well as into their personal life.' Daniela Cismasu, LLB, Dip. Nursing, Dip Hypnotherapy'I really enjoyed the book and learnt about some interesting aspects of practice. The book discusses intersectionality, and this is so important. Intersectionality should be covered on training for all the professions. I also liked the balance between academic theories, questions for reflection and practical advice. I would have loved this book to be in my college library when I was training. It’s useful to think about the distinctions and overlaps between the helping professions, and how we can communicate more clearly.' - Elizabeth Cartwright, BA (Hons) French and Latin, PGCE Primary Education, Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy'Communication and interviewing skills are key building blocks to social work, counselling and the helping professions more broadly. This book aims to deal with these important issues for practice and does so in an accessible way.' - Professor Di Bailey Division Leader, Social Work and Health, Associate Dean for Research, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University'This book could not come at a better time. Professor Higham has drawn on both stalwart and contemporary theories of communication and brought them into excellent utility for practice. This book that leaves no form of communication unturned, is accessible, informative and recommended as a staple for learners but also a reminder for all of us no matter where our starting point.' - Dr. Trish Hafford-Letchfield, Professor of Social Care, Middlesex University'This book provides an access route for developing practice, written in language for both the emerging and experienced practitioner. It covers the basic principles and wider spectrum of essential knowledge and awareness of self for Communication and Interviewing Skills. A useful tool for reflection in supervision.' - Susan Ellen Draper-Todkill, MBACP (Accred). BAHons. PGCert. PGDip Couns. PGDip Supervision Dip CH GQHP GHR Reg PGCE MIfL, Borders Confidential Therapy Services, Professional Counsellor & Clinical Hypnotherapist

• Acknowledgements; Chapter 1: Introducing Communication and Interviewing Skills; Chapter 2: The Person; Chapter 3: The Professional Practitioner; Chapter 4: Different Communication Approaches as Essential Tools of Practice; Chapter 5: Interviewing Skills; Chapter 6: A Conceptual Basis for Communicating and Interviewing in Different Practice Situations; Chapter 7: Information Giving as a Form of Communication; Chapter 8: Ethical Concerns for Communication and Interviewing; Chapter 9: Communication and Interviewing in Different Organisational Contexts; Chapter 10: Communicating with Technology, Computers, and Artificial Intelligence; Chapter 11: Communication in Different Practice Situations, Including People in Crisis, or with Mental Illness, Autism, Diabetes, Addictions, or Obesity; Chapter 12: Communicating in Situations of Loss; Chapter 13: Domestic Violence and Communication; Chapter 14: Communicating with Life Stories and Biographical approaches; Chapter 15: Communicating with Older People; Chapter 16: Communicating with People with Physical impairments, Learning Difficulties, and/or Anxiety and Depression; Chapter 17: Communicating with Children and Young People; Chapter 18: Professional Development to Improve Communication and Interviewing Skills; Chapter 19: Summarising the Book’s Content and Themes; Index