Session 1 opens with Henry arriving at an outpatient substance use treatment center, referred by his therapist for help finding a job. He is not thrilled about it.
Within the first few minutes, his phone has more of his attention than the caseworker does. When asked about his work history, he says it sucked. He worked for his dad and hated it. When the caseworker asks what steps they can take together, Henry's response is direct: "Why don't you just get me the job?"
The caseworker doesn't take the bait. He points out that the phone has Henry's attention. He tells Henry they'll get through things faster if he's fully present. Henry puts it down: "You got my undivided attention."
From there, the caseworker walks Henry through intake paperwork, explaining confidentiality, explaining self-determination in plain language. Henry asks: "What is that like? I don't have to?" The caseworker confirms it, sets the expectation for appointments, and redirects Henry to finish the paperwork before his next session.
No breakthrough. No dramatic shift. A resistant client, a steady caseworker, and a session that ends with intake paperwork signed and a follow-up scheduled. That's Session 1.
THE FULL SERIES
Session 1 is the entry point. The series is the teaching tool.
Across seven sessions, students follow Henry's full case management relationship, watching the caseworker navigate treatment planning, motivational interviewing, goal review, and discharge. The series includes a paired Session 5 showing an alternative caseworker approach to the same closing conversation, giving students a direct comparison to discuss and analyze.
Each session stands alone and can be assigned individually. Together, they show students something a single simulation can't: what a case management relationship looks like across time, including the sessions that don't go well.
The seven sessions:
- Session 1: Intake - a resistant client, a distracted first meeting, intake paperwork
- Session 2: Treatment Planning - Henry is late, frustrated, and starting to identify what he actually wants
- Session 3: Motivational Interviewing - Henry admits he lied about his job search progress, and the caseworker uses that opening
- Session 4: Reviewing Progress - Henry got a call back for an interview, shares a quote from his AA sponsor, and starts to see a path forward
- Session 5: Summarizing Treatment - Henry has a job, has found a vocational program, and is deciding whether to continue services
- Session 5, Incorrect Approach - Hindering a Client's Urge to Pursue Their Goals
- Session 5, Incorrect Approach - Setting Realistic Expectations Post-Discharge for a Client
WHERE THIS FITS IN YOUR COURSE
The Henry series is built for courses that teach practice skills across a helping relationship, not just a single interaction. It fits naturally in case management, introductory social work practice, and helping skills courses where students are learning what client work looks like over time.
Individual sessions can be dropped into specific units and tailored to meet your course’s learning objectives: Session 1 for first contact and engagement, Session 3 for motivational interviewing, Session 5 for termination and discharge planning, for example. Or assign the full series sequentially and let students watch the relationship develop across the semester.
HOW INSTRUCTORS MAY USE THIS
These examples are intended to support instructional planning and can be adapted based on course objectives and institutional guidelines.
- Assign individual sessions to match specific units - engagement, treatment planning, motivational interviewing, termination - and ask students to observe one skill or dynamic per session
- Use the paired Session 5 videos as a comparison exercise: students watch both versions and discuss what they notice about the differences in approach and how Henry responds
- Assign brief written reflections after each session - what did the caseworker do, what did Henry do, what would you do differently, building a cumulative picture of the relationship across the semester
- Use Session 1 as a role-play prompt: students watch the intake, then practice their own version of a first contact with a resistant client
PRICING & ACCESS
Students typically subscribe for as low as $50, less than the cost of a textbook.
Complimentary faculty access is included when Symptom Media is adopted as a required course resource.
