Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Individual Practice Test

What should a social worker do first when a new client expresses feelings of betrayal by a previous worker?

1. Apologize for the previous worker's actions

2. Ask the client to tell her more about what had happened with the other social worker

3. Reassure the client that confidentiality will be maintained

4. Encourage the client to consider moving past the experience

The correct answer is: Ask the client to tell her more about what had happened with the other social worker

The most appropriate initial step for a social worker when a new client expresses feelings of betrayal by a previous worker is to invite the client to discuss their experience further. By asking the client to share more about what had happened, the social worker demonstrates active listening and validates the client's feelings. This approach allows the worker to gain a deeper understanding of the client's perspective and emotional state, which is essential for establishing trust and rapport in the therapeutic relationship. This exploration also provides the opportunity for the social worker to assess the impact of the previous relationship on the client’s current goals and needs, as well as to identify any underlying issues that may need to be addressed. By encouraging the client to talk about their experience, the worker positions themselves as empathetic and supportive, which is crucial in helping the client feel heard and understood. While acknowledging the actions of the previous worker could be important at some point, immediately apologizing can inadvertently place the focus on the social worker's response rather than the client's feelings. Similarly, reassuring the client about confidentiality is important but may be premature if the client is still hurting from their previous experience. Encouraging the client to move past their experience could dismiss their feelings and hinder the healing process. Therefore, facilitating a conversation about their previous experience is the