Assignment Requirements: Process Recordings should be 5 to 10 pages for verbatim/table style and 3 to 5 pages for narrative. Samples of narrative style can be located on page 45 of field manual. Process Recordings should be typed and double spaced. APA Style
PROCESS RECORDINGS
A process recording is a detailed written record of an interaction with a client.
What information should be included in a process recording?
A process recording:
Describes the dynamic interaction between the client ad the student.
Presents factual information concerning the client, the problem and the larger context.
Describes the client’s responses to the client and the actions taken by the student to resolve the client’s problems.
Provides a detailed analysis of the student’s observations and reactions to the interaction with the client.
Why are process recordings necessary?
Process recordings are necessary because they:
Serve as an important learning tool in social work education.
Increase the student’s self awareness.
Help the student and field instructor to identify the student’s strengths and areas to work on Facilitate written communication skills.
Clarify the purpose of the client contact and the student’s role in it.
Help the student to conceptualize and plan effective interventions.
Provide an effective means to assist the field agency, school and the student to track the student’s progress.
What type of interaction can be processed in a recording?
A face to face session with an individual client.
A telephone contact with a client.
A family session or group session.
A contact with a family member.
A contact with a service provider.
A brief interaction in a waiting room, hall, community room, etc. with a client.
Elements of a Process Recording-
** Note** If your agency uses a different model for process recordings, please use the one requested by your Field Instructor.
Content
Student’s name and client’s identifying information (initials, sex, age, etc.) ** Remember – always disguise client names to protect confidentiality **
Date of meeting/session.
Persons present/roles of persons present at the session.
The number of the session (e.g., 3rd contact with Mr. J)
Purpose of the meeting/ goals of the session.
Detailed description of the interaction between you and the client – include action as well as non-verbal activity. This should be a verbatim description of the most significant and pertinent parts of the session.
Reaction / Response
Your gut level feelings and reactions to the client and to the interaction as it took place. This includes your unspoken thoughts and feelings at the time (“I started to feel uneasy with what Mrs. S. was revealing and wasn’t sure how to respond.”)
Use this column to understand your feelings and not to analyze the client’s reactions.
Values / Historical
Analysis of past personal and professional experiences which have formed your current value system.
Identify and explain how these values are being experienced in this particular client interaction. (For example, if you are working with a client population you have difficulty with, why is this? What influences your values from a historical perspective (family, religion, personal experience, etc)?
Theory/ Assessment
What is your current assessment of this client? Include strengths and weaknesses.
Identify specific theoretical model(s) that help you understand the process and content of this session.
Does your agency use a particular theoretical model? Do you feel this theoretical approach is useful? Why or why not?
What specific social work skills/techniques/ interventions learned in your practice courses did you use or could you have used during the session?
What were your strengths and weaknesses as a practitioner during this session?
Was the goal of the session accomplished?
Practical Matters
Write your process recording or take notes as soon as possible after the session with the client. The longer the time lag between the session and writing notes, the more difficult it will be to remember. However, perfect recall is not as important as your impressions of the most significant components of the session.
Be honest when writing about your feelings, thoughts and interventions. Remember, the purpose of the process recording is to help you be a sensitive, effective social worker. If you edit out “mistakes” you’ve made, you are missing out on valuable feedback and learning opportunities.
Choose cases that have the most potential for learning, possibly the most challenging cases.
Respect the confidentiality of clients by omitting their names, using fictitious names or only using initials in the process recording. A process recording should not be part of the formal record of the agency.
