[NABS-L] Taking Case Notes during an Intake Interview

[Nina Marranca]

This is an amazing question. I have worked a job at a human services org for 1.5 years now. I'm also getting my Doctorate in clinical psych. I only bring those two things up because intake/ interviewing is a pretty big part of what I do and will do in the future :) 
I use my laptop for this, preferrably with the questionnaire in a word doc. I just type notes next to or below each question. As for being attentive, I focus on my body language, still looking toward the client, having an open facial expression, etc. It's very normal in my program to give each other feedback on these things, whether blind or sighted. So that is definitely something you can ask someone, how did I appear in that practice interview? I don't record my interviews for obvious confidentiality reasons, which is why note taking, as you said, is a huge part of it. Happy to chat more. Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 3, 2022, at 19:08, Lizzy Cappelli via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hello NABS,
> 
> I hope this email finds you well.
> 
> I am a Junior in college majoring in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies. This semester I am taking a case management class. Part of this class is conducting an intake interview were you are getting to know a client for the first time (in this case a classmate) We are given an intake questionnaire to use during the interview as a reference.
>  
> I am wondering if anyone has advice on how to best take notes in a professional manner while also being attentive to a client?
>  
> I am legally blind and am able to read large print inches away from me, but it requires me to awkwardly hunch over in order to read and write notes. It is also possible to use a computer, but I am unsure if this would cause a barrier between the interviewer and client. Lastly, I thought of using braille since it would still allow you to look at the client, and take notes, but my braille speed needs to increase before effectively using it in a professional setting.
>  
> Overall, if anyone has experience in this type of environment or insight on clients’ reactions to needing to be close to take notes that would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> 
> Kindest regards,
> Lizzy Cappelli
>  
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