Client Handout

    In your psychosocial history and treatment plan you are working with a client who is facing a problem, decision, or issue. Some of our work is done in session in an interview, other parts are done through books or client handouts. Your handout:

    • Must briefly summarize some important things that your new client should know about the problem, treatment, or typical medications used to treat it. This handout should be no more than one page, single-spaced. (Think about some that I gave you in Abnormal Psychology if you are thinking about level and approach.)

    • Should be appropriate for the age and reading level of this particular handout. A handout on the ABC approach to depression would be different for an 8-year-old boy than for his parents than for an adult who wants to learn to challenge his irrational beliefs than for a training for doctors and clinicians who work with children with childhood depression. Know your audience and write for it.

    • Should be easily and quickly read. Use your computer's formatting options to help your client read the material quickly and recognize important points.

    • Be concrete. What specific things should the person know or think about? What do you want your audience to gain as a result of this handout?

    • Should reference your ideas -- unless all are yours! The reference can be a short citation: (Smith & Jones, 2003). Do not quote other sources and do not "lift" your handout from another source.

    • Could include a short annotated bibliography on the issue on a second page. Resources may include written materials, audio or video tapes, web sites, information about support groups, clinics, counselors, therapists, inpatient or outpatient treatment in this area. Resources should be appropriate for your audience.

    • Can be done either on paper, as a picture book, or as a web page. If the last, if I like your work, I'll post it on the example page.

    Please come to class prepared to talk about your information and share your list with the class. Make copies of your list for all class members, including me. Copies can be made in the Psychology office.

    On a separate page, attach a short statement about your audience and your goals. This can be one or two sentences long. Do not xerox this page for your classmates.

    Grading the
    Client Handout    		 Examples

    Page by jms
    URL= http://psy1.clarion.edu/jms/intCHandout.html

    Last updated April 6, 2004