The Interview Environment

My first interview with Dr. Helen Brown McIntosh was conducted at a PetSmart in Marietta, Georgia.

Yes, I know, rather unusual circumstances, but since Helen was traveling with her toy poodle, Millie, and the weather was rather chilly for March in the south, we didn’t really have any other options. Initially I had hoped to meet at a library, or a similar quiet environment, but found out a few days before our planned meeting time that Millie would be a participant. Helen thoughtfully suggested PetSmart, and I arrived about a half hour early the day of our meeting to scope out the terrain. Luckily, the training area was not being used that day, as their trainer was out with the flu, so we were able to sit on folding chairs in the roped off area near the center of the store. As it turned out, being in the dog training area factored into our interview a couple of times.

Helen arrived with her husband Jim, who shook my hand and was friendly and polite, but also respectful of our short time together. He left shortly thereafter, so our first interview was just Helen, myself, and tiny Mille, who was rather intimidated by the large dogs that frequented the store. Despite the distractions, Helen and I managed to stay on track, and covered a lot of questions during that first session.

The second interview took place at her home in Dalton GA. She graciously invited my daughter Kyla and I to lunch, and after feeding us chicken salad, tabouli and peach iced tea, Kyla went out to ride her bike and watch a movie while we spoke more about Helen’s life and work. 

Helen had gathered some material for me related to some of my questions from the first interview, and she shared these with me before we got started. They included a photograph of her grandfather, a diagram of the process of reality therapy, and a photo copy of her grade transcript from the time she was at Hollins. 

Conducting the interview in the quiet of Helen’s spacious dining room was considerably easier than doing so in the chaotic atmosphere of PetSmart.

It was also a pleasure to see family pictures and feel the warm surroundings of Helen’s lovely home.

         My daughter has asked me several times since if we can go back and visit Helen again!                                                                                       

                                   Helen and her husband Jim                                                                                       Helen's daughter Blythe and her husband Art

Helen's son Bryan, his wife Lynn, and their children Sarah and Ann                                                  Helen's granddaughter's Sarah and Ann, age 5 and 9

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