Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

In developing a contract with negative feeling clients, a social worker should focus on?

1. Supporting the client's negative feelings

2. Expressing the agency viewpoint when hostile attitudes arise

3. Assuming the client has authority issues

4. Helping the client assess emotional appropriateness of their reactions

The correct answer is: Helping the client assess emotional appropriateness of their reactions

In developing a contract with clients who have negative feelings, focusing on helping the client assess the emotional appropriateness of their reactions is essential because it facilitates self-awareness and emotional intelligence. This approach encourages clients to reflect on their feelings and understand the context behind their negative emotions. By guiding clients in evaluating whether their reactions are justified or proportional to the situation, social workers can help them navigate their feelings more constructively. This method also fosters a collaborative environment where clients feel empowered to take charge of their emotional responses, leading to improved communication and a stronger therapeutic alliance. By addressing the emotional appropriateness of reactions, social workers can facilitate a more open and respectful dialogue, which is crucial in developing a productive contract. Supporting clients' negative feelings could lead to reinforcing unproductive emotional patterns, while expressing an agency viewpoint in hostile situations might escalate tensions. Assuming authority issues may misinterpret clients' behaviors and sidetrack the focus from their emotional experiences, making it less effective in forging a connection that allows for constructive dialogue.