Screening and Interviewing – Communicate Next Steps

Here Cris Perez demonstrates how to effectively provide education and communicate next steps with clients. Watch as Cris expresses gratitude to the client for sharing, reflects the client’s strengths, and uses summary to ensure a clear understanding of the client’s experiences. Cris shares concerns in a non-threatening manner and gently begins psychoeducation on trafficking tactics, empowering clients with rights-focused information, without labeling their experiences.

When working with clients, it is important to recognize that even unhealthy and abusive situations can feel familiar or safe to them. Gently expressing concerns and sharing observations, while focusing on the client’s priorities, helps avoid mistakes that could push clients away or cause more trauma. Stay focused on the client’s needs and views to ensure a supportive and understanding interaction. At Framework, we know that wanting to convince clients of traffickers’ intentions or persuade them to leave their situations comes from a desire to keep them safe. However, this approach can take away their power of choice or change their worldviews without replacing support. Instead, respecting each client’s unique background ensures we support them in a more empowering way.

Be sure to check out all four videos in this series for a full example of a screening interview.