Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

What technique do social workers use to enhance a client's motivation to change?

1. Psychoanalysis

2. Transactional analysis

3. Analysis of resistance

4. Analysis of transference

The correct answer is: Analysis of resistance

The technique that social workers use to enhance a client's motivation to change is often centered on the concept of analysis of resistance. This approach involves understanding the barriers that clients may face when considering change. Resistance is a significant psychological response that can manifest as ambivalence, defensiveness, or reluctance to engage in the process of change. By analyzing resistance, social workers can identify the underlying fears, beliefs, or past experiences that contribute to a client's reluctance. This understanding allows social workers to work collaboratively with clients to address these concerns, thereby increasing their motivation to change. Engaging clients in a dialogue about their resistance can also help them feel heard and validated, which is crucial for building rapport and encouraging openness. In contrast, other techniques mentioned, such as psychoanalysis, primarily focus on exploring unconscious processes; transactional analysis centers on interpersonal communication and relationships; and analysis of transference examines the feelings towards the therapist that arise from past relationships. While these methods have their value in therapy, their primary aim is not specifically to enhance motivation for change in the way that analyzing resistance directly addresses the client's hesitations and ambivalence.