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Initial Interview
Sheila Jenkins
Liberty University
January 24, 2020
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Initial Interview
Identifying Information
Mr. John Caver is a 45-year-old married man. He lives at 2200 Honey Way in Spanish
Fort, Alabama 36532. His phone number is 256-349-8010. His date of birth is December 20,
1974. He currently works full-time as an electrician with Jay’s Electric. His work phone number
is 256-375-1249. He is attending Liberty University online for a Doctoral degree in Doctor of
Ministry. His emergency contact is his wife, Scarlett Caver and her phone number is 256-349-
8001. The date of this interview is January 22, 2020.
Reason for Referral
Mr. Caver has been referred by Eastern Shore Baptist Church in Spanish Fort, Alabama
36532. The reason for the referral is assess if Mr. Caver would be a good candidate for Senior
Pastor at a large urban church? Mr. Caver is coming in for an evaluation.
Current Situation and Functioning
Mr. Caver states that he begins his day around 4:30 a.m. He explains that he prays and
then showers before going to work. He leaves his home around 5:30 a.m. headed to begin his
workday. He states that he usually works from 6 a.m.-4:30p.m. Monday through Friday, but there
are days when jobs cause him to work overtime. The days he works overtime, he explains, tend
to put him behind in other areas as well and he feels a little overwhelmed. He says he usually
arrives home after work on normal days at 5 p.m. and eats dinner with his wife shortly after that.
Mr. Caver explains that he returns calls to church members, deacons, or friends between 6 and 7
p.m. He states that between 7-9 p.m. he works on school assignments, studies, reads his bible and
prays. He helps his wife with the kitchen and then gets a shower between 9-9:30 p.m. He states
that he spends time talking to his wife before bed. He says he tries to go to bed around 10:30
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p.m. to ensure he is getting enough rest. Mr. Caver admits that he does not spend much time with
his wife during the week because of school, work, and ministry obligations. He states that he
tries to take her to dinner on Friday or Saturday night and spend quality time with her. Mr. Caver
appears to have a busy schedule with potential fluctuations being caused by work, school, or his
ministry obligations. He looks physically tired because he has yawned several times during this
interview, and he has rubbed his eyes a few times also. He seems focused in the areas of work,
school, and fulfilling his ministry duties, but he appears to struggle with his personal life. Mr.
Caver’s strengths are that he is giving, caring, and sacrifices for others. His weaknesses are that
he has no time for himself because he puts everyone else first, no quiet time in his day/week, and
he does not communicate with his wife about their marriage, the load he carries or ask her to
help.
Relevant Medical History
Mr. Caver states that he played football in high school and injured his knees. He did not
need surgery on his knees, but they have fluid on them. He says he is a Type 2 diabetic and takes
Metformin, 500 milligrams, twice a day. He is currently taking Lisinopril, 20 milligrams, once a
day for high blood pressure and says that it is for preventive measures according to his medical
doctor. He explains that he has arthritis in his hands which bothers him the most during the
winter and when it rains. He does not take medication for the arthritis.
Mr. Caver explains that his father died from colon cancer. His mother is a Type 2 diabetic
as well as himself. He fidgets with his hands as he mentions his parents. His youngest
granddaughter is epileptic and autistic. He does not recall any family members having a heart
attack, stroke, or thyroid problems/disease.
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Psychiatric Treatment History
Mr. Caver states that he has never received any form of psychiatric treatment. He
explains that he has not been in counseling although his mother spoke to him about it when he
was a teenager. Mr. Caver says he attempted suicide when he was 13 years old by trying to cut
his wrist. He says that it did not work because when he cut himself, he did not bleed. He appears
nervous as he talks about this time in his life. His left leg has started shaking as well.
He explains that his father was an alcoholic as long as he can remember. He says he never
saw his father without some form of alcohol in his hand. Mr. Caver holds his head down when he
speaks about his father and his voice lowers to a solemn tone.
Family History
Mr. Caver says that his father left their home when he was 12 years old and his parents
divorced when he was 13 years old. His father drank alcohol daily and when his father was
drunk, he would physically abuse his wife. Mr. Caver states that he attempted to have a
relationship with his father after the divorce, but it did not work. He appears to have mixed
emotions when he discusses his father because he looks solemn, but he has now crossed his
arms.
He says his mother is 80 years old and a Type 2 diabetic that lives alone. She is
demanding and fusses when Mr. Caver does not make time for her. He explains that he is the
only sibling that lives near his mother. He appears frustrated when he speaks of his mother and
uses his hands when he says she is demanding of him.
His younger sister, Karyn, lives in Tennessee. She is married and has two children. Karyn
does not visit their mother often due to her work and family duties. He explains that his
relationship with Karyn is not a close one. Karyn maintained a relationship with their father after
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the divorce and distanced herself from Mr. Caver and their mother. His tone of voice changes
when speaking about his sister. He sounds like he misses her and the possible relationship with
his sibling.
He explains that he married Rita, his first wife, when he was 18 years old. They have 5
children together and 8 grandchildren. Their youngest son, Ricky, lives at home with Rita. Since
the divorce, Mr. Caver says his relationship is almost nonexistent with 4 of his children. He says
that his son, Casey, has a relationship with him. He states that Casey is a pastor. He smiles as he
speaks about his children and appears hopeful.
His current wife, Scarlett, has 2 children and 2 grandchildren from a previous marriage.
There are no children shared between Mr. Caver and Scarlett. He says that his wife is his best
friend. He smiles and speaks with happiness in his voice now.
Social and Developmental History
The relationship between Mr. Caver and his father was strained throughout the marriage
of his parents. He explains that the relationship only worsened after the divorce because his
father drank more and would not interact with him at all. Mr. Caver seems sad as he talks about
this time in his life. He mentions that Karyn, his sister, was able to have a relationship with their
father. He questions why their father chose Karyn over him and wipes tears from his eyes.
His relationship with his mother is filled with stress he says because she demands so
much of him. He mentions that he does not understand why she puts so much pressure on him.
He rubs his hands down his legs when he talks about this pressure from his mother. He says he
loves his mother and does not mind doing things for her, but that he wished she would
understand he has a wife and family as well.
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The relationships with 4 of his 5 children are strained. He says this happened when he
divorced their mother, Rita, in 2012. He has attempted talking to them and spending time with
them but states they will not answer his calls anymore. His son, Casey, has tried to help but then
his siblings shut him out as well. Mr. Caver says he is hopeful that the situation will change as
time passes. The relationships with these 4 children worsened when he married, Scarlett, in 2014.
He says those 4 children tried to end his relationship/marriage with Scarlett with vicious words
and harassment. He hangs his head as he discusses the actions of his children. He appears to be
embarrassed or ashamed.
Educational and Occupational History
Mr. Caver states that he graduated from Orrville High School at 16 years old. He attended
Wallace Community College where he received a degree for electrical engineer. He attended
New Orleans Baptist Seminary where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry. He
also received a Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Currently, he is
attending Liberty University online to obtain a doctoral degree for Doctor of Ministry.
He served as Pastor Baton Rouge Baptist Church for 10 years; from 1992-2002. He left
his position at Baton Rouge Baptist Church to become Senior Pastor at Dallas Avenue Baptist
Church in Alabama. He served as Senior Pastor for 10 years; from 2002-2012. He resigned upon
the announcement of his divorce from his first wife, Rita. He says he did not want to leave but
felt he had no choice. He appears sad as he holds his head down. Currently, he is the Pastor at
Shiloh Baptist Church in Fairhope, Alabama. He has pastored this church since 2014. He says he
has never served in the military.
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Cultural Influences
Mr. Caver says he was raised in the deep south and that his father referred to African
Americans in derogatory ways. He states that he was raised to believe that interracial marriage
was wrong, and that African American people are not as smart as Caucasian people are. He says
that his relationship with God has taught him to love all people equally. He explains that he has
performed marriage ceremonies for interracial couples and finds nothing wrong with their union.
He says he has lost long time friendships over his stand for equality and that some people have
even left the church. He says God created everyone and that He knows God would not want it
any other way. He seems proud when he talks about standing against racism in the church and
among the members.
References
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Drummond, R. J., Sheperis, C. J., & Jones, K. D. (2016). Assessment Procedures for Counselors
and Helping Professionals. New York: Pearson Education.
