Study group #4

A new client seeks therapy after losing a job he held for 10 years. He expresses feelings of despair, saying that “everything seems to be falling apart.” He mentions ongoing difficulties in his marriage, poor financial decisions, and a sense of isolation from his peers. In addition to conducting a risk assessment, what should the social worker prioritize during the initial phase of treatment?

A social worker’s client regularly contacts the social worker between sessions to reschedule appointments, causing significant disruption to the social worker’s schedule. The social worker feels frustrated by the repeated changes. What should the social worker prioritize as the FIRST course of action?

A 25-year-old client meets with a social worker at a community mental health clinic. She has been struggling with severe anxiety and panic attacks, which have led to social isolation and avoidance behaviors. She expresses feelings of hopelessness, stating, “I’ll never be able to live a normal life like everyone else.” She reports that previous therapy attempts have not helped, and she doubts whether change is possible. The social worker wants to empower the clientand foster a sense of hope while maintaining a client-centered approach. What is the BEST way to intervene at this stage of treatment?

A 16-year-old teenager is placed in a foster home where the foster parents practice a different religion than the teenager. The foster parents request that the teenager follow their religious practices. What should the social worker prioritize as the most appropriate course of action?

A 12-year-old boyis referred for treatment after his parents report significant changes in behavior, including persistent sadness, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating at school. The child has a history of academic strugglesand has recently become more irritable at home. The parents express concern about his lack of motivation and feeling “hopeless.” The child has not been previously evaluatedfor mental health issues and has no significant medical history. The social worker is aware that the child’s behavior could be indicative of Major Depressive Disorder, but there are concerns about the possible presence of learning disabilities,family stress, orsubstance use. What is the MOST appropriate step for the social worker to take?

A hospital social worker is conducting an initial assessment with a client who was recently admitted after experiencing a severe panic attack at work. The client reports frequent episodes of intense fear accompanied by chest pain, dizziness, and a fear of losing control. During the interview, the client mentions avoiding public spaces and declining invitations to social events due to fear of triggering another episode. What should the social worker prioritize as the FIRST step in addressing the client’s needs?

A client reports intense fears of abandonment, impulsive actions in relationships, and difficulty managing anger. What should the social worker do FIRST?

During an initial marital therapy session, a husband expresses frustration about his wife’s poor housekeeping, constant nagging, and lack of interest in sex. The wife counters by stating that her husband frequently comes home late, controls the family finances, and is disengaged in their sexual relationship due to excessive drinking. Which issue should the social worker prioritize addressing FIRST?

A social worker is treating a man whose wife recently passed away in an automobile accident, leaving him to care for their two young children. He works in a high-pressure job and is struggling to balance his demanding career with his parenting responsibilities. Which of the following would likely NOT be a part of the treatment approach?

A physician refers a married woman to a social worker due to ongoing complaints of physical ailments for which no medical causes have been identified. The physician suspects these issues are linked to the client’s marital difficulties. The woman’s husband is an alcoholic who has physically assaulted her multiple times in front of their two children. Additionally, the family resides with the husband’s parents, who are emotionally disturbed and hostile. The physician seeks the social worker’s assistance. What should the social worker do?

After an initial visit with an elderly client, a social worker informs the client that the next meeting will be scheduled in six weeks. However, the client continues to call the social worker the following day and, in the days, thereafter. The calls are repetitive, with questions that seem trivial and unrelated to any urgent concerns. How should the social worker respond?

A school social worker meets with a mother who is concerned about her 17-year-old son after discovering on his social media account that he has had an intimate relationship with an adult man. In this situation, what should the social worker prioritize exploring FIRST?

A client is seeking help for anxiety and panic attacks. The client describes avoiding social events, crowded places, and work-related activities for fear of experiencing another panic attack. The client expresses feeling increasingly isolated and overwhelmed by these fears. What should the social worker prioritize in this case?