This assignment consists of two parts:
Part 1 is the interview itself. Preferably, write the interview in a narrative form instead of transcribing the questions and answers. For instance:
_____ described the psychiatrist as very professional, but not warm or interested in personal details about the experienced challenges at work and relationships. Per _______s report, the side effects were not intense, but the desired effects took a long time to emerge.
Make sure you write the generic names of medications in lowercase and the brand names in capital initial letters. For instance, fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine (Effexor), risperidone (Risperdal), alprazolam (Xanax), etc.
Part 2 is your reflection as a prospective therapist working with clients who use psychotropic medications. Elaborate on your countertransference and biases, cultural and identity diversity sensitivity, clinical judgment, possible interventions you would employ as a therapist, and areas for your further growth.
Parts 1 and 2 are equally important. It will be helpful to imagine that you should strive to obtain 50 points in Part 1 and 50 points in Part 2.
Structure of the Interview Paper
Part 1: Interview (2 to 3 double-spaced pages)
- Firstly, keep the interviewees name confidential by changing it when writing the paper. Begin the interview section by providing demographic information (sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic background, age, cultural background) and a brief list of the medications to treat the interviewees symptoms. For instance:
The interviewee Tina Doe is a 35-year-old transgender woman of Haitian descent, who was reportedly diagnosed with anxiety after the deportation of her parents and an aunt nearly two months ago. Tina states that for a miracle she managed to go to the hospital, and was prescribed fluoxetine and alprazolam with no recollection of their dosages and the names of the prescribing physicians
If you have a history of use of psychotropic medications and feel that this assignment will be significantly helpful in your development as a prospective therapist, you can be the interviewee.
- Start the interview this way:
State your name and identify yourself with your credentials (e.g., clinical psychology master’s students, MFT trainee, etc), and provide the name of the course and explain the purpose of this interview, and thank them for the opportunity to interview him/her/them. Emphasize that all information shared will be kept strictly confidential and that a fictitious name will substitute for the real name. Make the interviewee feel as safe and comfortable as possible. And present yourself with no judgment, respectfully and warmly. Make sure to make note of this (stating your credentials and the purpose of this interview) in your paper; it can be a brief sentence or two but this and the closing protocol do need to be explicitly mentioned, with the intent of training you to get used to information that must be included in intake or psychopharmocological interviews with clients (and documenting that it was verbalized).
- Questions to ask the interviewee:
- Have you ever undergone treatment with psychotropic medications? If yes (for the purposes of this paper, of course the answer does need to be yes), what was the reason you started taking psychotropic medications? Do you know the names of these medications, the dosages, and who prescribed them?
- How would you evaluate the quality of the interaction with the prescribing doctor/nurse regarding warmth, listening, attention, and professionalism? How long was the assessment interview, and how long did it take to select the medications? Did your doctor/nurse explain what the medications were for and their potential side effects?
- How did you respond to the prescribed medications? Did you have positive effects?
- Did you have side effects? How did you address them?
- Were you being treated in psychotherapy conjointly?
- (If not) Would you have considered including psychotherapy if circumstances were favorable? In what ways could psychotherapy and the therapist be beneficial?
- (If yes) How do you evaluate the treatment with psychotherapy with prescribed psychotropic medications? Was this combination effective? Why? Was your therapist able to support you if you experienced undesirable effects from medications?
- Is there anything you would like to add to this interview?
- Before ending the interview:
Ask him/her/them if they would like you to email a draft of the interview for their review.
Thank the interviewee sincerely for the opportunity to learn from his/her/their history. Make brief note of this important step in your paper.
Part 2: Insights and reflection as a prospective therapist working with clients who take medications (1 to 3 double-spaced pages)
- Elaborate on your countertransference and how it can impact your relationship with the client as a therapist. Part 2 must display self-awareness derived from deep intellectual reflection and intrapsychic investigation.
- Assumptions you had about the interviewee based on his/her/their appearance, cultural and ethnic background, social class, race, and privilege. How did the assumptions impact the interaction?
- If the interviewee were your therapy client, how would you support him/her/them? What would you do if there were complaints of side effects? Which interventions would you employ in the therapy sessions?
- What are the areas for further growth as a prospective therapist working with clients who use psychotropic medications in their treatment?
Clarity, Structure, and ComplianceFormatting and Presentation
Criterion Score
Narrative Form
2 points
Interview is presented in a narrative form (not Q&A transcription), effectively weaving the responses into a descriptive story.
Score of Narrative Form,
/ 2
Medication Nomenclature
2 points
Correct use of lowercase generic names and capitalized initial Brand names (e.g., fluoxetine (Prozac)).
Score of Medication Nomenclature,
/ 2
Length Compliance
2 points
Paper adheres to the suggested minimum length (Part 1: 2-3 pages; Part 2: 1-3 pages).
Score of Length Compliance,
/ 2
Part 1: Interview Content and StructureIntroduction and Demographics
Criterion Score
Confidentiality and Fictitious Name
2 points
Interviewee is kept confidential using a fictitious name.
Score of Confidentiality and Fictitious Name,
/ 2
Opening Protocol
5 points
Student states name, identifies credentials (e.g., MFT student), names course, explains purpose, and thanks the interviewee. The tone is respectful, warm, and non-judgmental.
Score of Opening Protocol,
/ 5
Demographic Information
10 points
Comprehensive demographic details provided (sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic/cultural background, age).
Score of Demographic Information,
/ 10
Interview Execution and DetailInterview
Criterion Score
Reason and Medication History (Q1)
5 points
Clear details on the reason for starting medication, names, dosages (if known), and prescribing professional.
Score of Reason and Medication History (Q1),
/ 5
Prescriber Interaction (Q2)
5 points
Thorough evaluation of the quality of interaction (warmth, listening, professionalism), assessment length, and explanation of side effects/purpose.
Score of Prescriber Interaction (Q2),
/ 5
Response and Side Effects (Q3 & Q4)
5 points
Detailed account of positive/desired effects, side effects experienced, and how they were addressed.
Score of Response and Side Effects (Q3 & Q4),
/ 5
Psychotherapy Conjointly (Q5)
5 points
Comprehensive exploration of whether psychotherapy was combined with medication, evaluation of the combined treatment, and therapist support for side effects. (Or) Thorough discussion of considering psychotherapy and its potential benefits (if not combined).
Score of Psychotherapy Conjointly (Q5),
/ 5
Closing Protocol (Q6 & Ending)
2 points
Interviewee’s optional additions are noted, the offer to email a draft is made, and an effusive thank you is included.
Score of Closing Protocol (Q6 & Ending),
/ 2
Narrative Quality and FlowPart 1: Overall
Criterion Score
Engagement and Clarity
5 points
The narrative is engaging, well-organized, and the interviewees experience is conveyed with clarity and depth.
Score of Engagement and Clarity,
/ 5
Part 2: Insights and ReflectionSelf-Awareness and Introspection
Criterion Score
Countertransference and Biases
10 points
In-depth elaboration on potential countertransference specific to this client’s case and its likely impact on the therapeutic relationship.
Score of Countertransference and Biases,
/ 10
Assumptions and Impact
10 points
Deep intellectual reflection on assumptions (based on appearance, culture, race, class, privilege, etc.) and a critical analysis of how these assumptions did or could have impacted the interaction.
Score of Assumptions and Impact,
/ 10
Clinical Application and GrowthCountertransference and Biases
Criterion Score
Client Support and Interventions
15 points
Concrete and specific ways the student would support the client, including addressing side effect complaints, and outlining possible clinical interventions tailored to the case.
Score of Client Support and Interventions,
/ 15
Cultural/Identity Sensitivity
10 points
Reflection on and demonstration of sensitivity toward the client’s cultural background, identity diversity, and clinical judgment regarding medication use (integrated throughout the support/interventions section).
Score of Cultural/Identity Sensitivity,
/ 10
Areas for Further Growth
5 points
Clear identification and elaboration of specific, actionable areas for professional growth related to working with clients on psychotropic medications