The interview is one of the most important tools of Social Case Work. It provides the social worker with an opportunity to establish a professional relationship with the client and collect relevant information about the client’s problem, personality, family, social environment and available resources. In counselling, the diagnostic purpose of the Social Case Work interview is particularly important because effective assistance depends upon a clear understanding of the nature and causes of the client’s difficulties. The first diagnostic purpose of the interview is to identify and define the client’s problem. Clients may present their difficulties in a general or confused manner. Through careful questioning and attentive listening, the social worker helps clarify the actual problem. For example, a client may complain of anxiety or poor academic performance, while the underlying issue may be family conflict, financial insecurity, social isolation or lack of emotional support. The interview also helps the social worker collect information about