PSYb2997 The Art of Supportive Interviewing

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Daniela Halámková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Daniela Halámková, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
PSYb1020 Personality Psychology

The prerequisite for completing the course is a willingness to participate in model situations, the ability of introspection, the ability to formulate constructive feedback for others, and also openness to hearing feedback on one's own work.

Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 63/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 61/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce various ways how to lead a supportive conversiation with a client in sevaral different environments while working as a psychologist. We will be focused on practical skills: trying to lead a supportive conversation in model situations, working with specific materials, consideration of various interventios etc.
Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will:

  • be aware of the basic methods of leading a supportive non-directive conversation and be able to use them in practice;
  • be able to reflect on the unconscious phenomena that may appear in similar conversations on the part of the psychologist or client;
  • know the ethical rules and boundaries of the psychologist's work in a counseling context and understand the reasons why it is necessary to follow them;
  • be able to perform a basic reflection on a supportive conversation that has already taken place and evaluate the effectiveness of individual interventions used.

Syllabus

  • various contexts of leading a supportive conversation (school environment, healthcare facility, crisis intervention, counseling, psychotherapy and others)
  • therapeutic relationship - what it is, what it should be like, transference and countertransference, complications in the therapeutic relationship
  • ethics in the work of a psychologist specifically during supportive conversations, how to maintain boundaries in a conversation
  • structure of a supportive conversation, various types of possible interventions, non-directive conversation management
  • overview of challenging moments in supportive conversations and working with specific complications; possible mistakes or traps 
  • self-care - how to take care of yourself.

Literature
    required literature
  • TIMUĽÁK, Ladislav. Základy vedení psychoterapeutického rozhovoru : integrativní rámec. Translated by Jana Křížová. Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2006, 181 stran. ISBN 8073671069. info
    recommended literature
  • GABBARD, Glen O. Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy : a basic text. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2010, x, 223. ISBN 9781585623853. info
  • VYBÍRAL, Zbyněk. Jak se stát dobrým psychoterapeutem (How to become a master therapist). 1st ed. Praha: Portál, 2016, 192 pp. Spektrum 103. ISBN 978-80-262-1104-4. URL info
  • VODÁČKOVÁ, Daniela. Krizová intervence. 3. vyd. Praha: Portál, 2012, 543 s. ISBN 9788026202127. info
    not specified
  • YALOM, Irvin D. Lži na pohovce :román o psychoterapii a psychoterapeutech. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 1999, 383 s. ISBN 80-7178-344-7. info
  • TALLIS, Frank. Posedlost láskou a jiná znepokojivá odhalení. Translated by Eva Klimentová. Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2019, 285 stran. ISBN 9788026214908. info
  • MARCUS, Donald M. Důvěra v nevědomí : zkušenost psychoanalýzy z obou stran pohovky. Translated by Hana Drábková. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2011, 163 s. ISBN 9788073676698. info
Teaching methods
lectures - theoretical background, model situations, group discussions, group work, individual reflection on text materials
Assessment methods

To successfully complete the course, the student must:

  • actively participate in the lessons - 75% attendance; participation in discussions and activities during the lessons
  • fulfill one homework assignment during the semester – a reflection on a specific supportive conversation - more information about the content and deadline will be provided at the beginning of the semester
  • actively participate in the role of a psychologist in a model situation at least once during the semester and listen to feedback on the chosen interventions.

Language of instruction
Czech
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/jaro2026/PSYb2997/index.qwarp
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
The course is taught every week.
Teacher's information
https://is.muni.cz/predmet/fss/jaro2026/PSYb2997
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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