Starting where the client is means that the clinician must avoid judgments, must listen carefully to discern what the client is feeling and thinking and not to step either too far away, or move too quickly ahead to where she/he think the client needs to be at (Benatar, 2011). The client is the only person that know their situation best. 2.
What does it mean to start where the client is at?
"Starting where the client is at" is one of the most important tenets of professional social work. As a social worker, you serve clients from all walks of life, and you may soon find that you have strong personal feelings or judgments about particular populations or individuals.
What is the role of a social worker in accepting clients?
The role of the social worker is to offer guidance and support as clients identify priorities and goals that are of greatest importance to them. Acceptance involves respecting the client's choices and only intervening in cases of serious, foreseeable and immediate risk of harm to self or others.
What are the personal feelings of a social worker?
As a social worker, you serve clients from all walks of life -- and you soon find that you have strong personal feelings or judgments about particular populations or individuals. To help your clients to the most beneficial extent possible, you must put your personal feelings and judgments aside.
What is the Department of social work at Seattle University?
The Department of Social Work at Seattle University emphasizes the importance of seeing the client from a strengths-based perspective that emphasizes potential over problems. A nonjudgemental attidtude in social work allows you to help your client to the best of your abilities.
Why is it important to start where the client starts?
"Starting where the client is at" is one of the most important tenets of professional social work. As a social worker, you serve clients from all walks of life, and you may soon find that you have strong personal feelings or judgments about particular populations or individuals.
Why is it important to meet client where they are at for social work?
Social workers use the phrase 'be where the client is'. It's meant to teach how to initially engage the client by meeting them where they are versus telling them how and where to be. Whether you are leading a meeting, training, or workshop, this concept is equally important in effective facilitation.
Why is the first meeting with a client so important in social work?
The initial meeting sets the tone for the rest of the worker-client relationship, which social workers can enhance by establishing rapport and demonstrating that they take their clients' troubles seriously. Social work skills include active listening, rapport building, problem solving and communication.
What is the first step in the client helping process?
Helping Process. Active listening - the counselor listens carefully and empathically to the client's story to 1) gain an understanding of the client's problem, 2) learn how the client thinks, feels and acts, 3) discover the client's strengths, assets and personal power, and 4) build rapport with the client.
What does it mean to meet a client where they are?
Meeting the client 'where they're at' means that you don't just give a 1-size-fits-all approach or put your own agenda on a client. Instead, we are encouraged to constantly assess what the child and family need and want throughout treatment and adjust our interventions accordingly.
What does it mean to meet the client where they are at in therapy?
This means that the client is part of their own treatment team. Thus, meeting the client where they're at means embracing a variety of therapeutic interventions and types of therapy – along with offerings such as food experientials and other workshops – that are appropriate for this person.
How do you introduce yourself as a social worker to a client?
Introduce yourself using your first and last name, and agency representation. You may need to repeat your first name a few times to allow the client to identify you not only as an agency representative, but also a person. When possible, smile.
How do you build rapport with clients in social work?
Building rapport and trust with your clients is vital to motivating change in those clients....A Quick Look at Reflective Listening (and Responding)Being collaborative and nonjudgmental.Avoiding overstating or understating.Using the language of the client or similar language.
What is one of the first questions social workers should ask a client?
"What have you tried so far to solve this problem?" "What do you do when you start feeling anxious?" "How does this situation make you feel?" "How does your living situation make you feel?"
What are the five 5 stages in the social work process?
The primary sections of the social casework process are study, assessment, intervention, termination, and evaluation. They are the process threads that will be weaved together during the social casework process.
What are the 5 stages of the helping process?
As stated by Corey and Corey, the stages of the helping process are: “1) establishing a working relationship; 2) assessing or defining the present problem; 3) identifying and setting goals; 4) choosing and initiating interventions; and 5) planning and introducing termination and follow-up.” (Corey & Corey, 2014) Each ...
What are the three phases of the helping process in social work?
This chapter provides an overview of the three phases of the helping process: exploration, implementation, and termination. The helping process focuses on problem solving with social work clients in a variety of settings, including those found along a continuum of voluntarism.
How important is the interaction of clients to the social worker?
By interacting with clients, families and groups, as well as other professionals and society as a whole, social workers aim to help people connect with needed resources and improve their lives.
How do you build rapport with clients in social work?
Building rapport and trust with your clients is vital to motivating change in those clients....A Quick Look at Reflective Listening (and Responding)Being collaborative and nonjudgmental.Avoiding overstating or understating.Using the language of the client or similar language.
Whats the best way for a caseworker to communicate with a client?
Nonverbal Behaviors Social workers should make eye-to-eye contact when speaking with clients and those involved with their care. Giving a smile can signal warmth and make a social worker seem more approachable.
What skills and techniques of social work you should apply in conducting a meeting successfully?
Social work is a dynamic and demanding profession that requires a variety of skills and qualities....Essential Skills and Traits for Social WorkersEmpathy. ... Communication. ... Organization. ... Critical thinking. ... Active listening. ... Self-care. ... Cultural competence. ... Patience.More items...
What is the role of social workers in a client's privacy?
9. Social Workers respect the client’s right to privacy. Therefore, in order to create an atmosphere of trust and reciprocity, the Social Worker supports informed consent and confidentiality.
How do social workers lead?
1. Social Workers start where the client is, respecting without judgment the self-determination and dignity of the client. This client can be an individual, a social unit, or a society. The client takes the lead – “We lead by following.” Sometimes the client does not know where he or she is going, so strategies that allow him or her to identify problems and become more self-aware are necessary.
What does social work stand for?
2. Social Workers stand for social, economic, and political justice, social workers become proactive change agents and advocates. The profession is not neutral in this respect.
What is virtual clinical social work?
To that end, Nancy and Mike conduct what is commonly called virtual clinical social work practice. Nancy’s work examines virtual online environments, including Second Life (http://secondlife.com/). Second Life is a virtual environment that is accessed via downloaded software and an Internet connection, and you connect with other people in the form of avatars. According to Merz Nagel and Anthony (2011) (http://www.onlinetherapyinstituteblog.com/?p=1406), an avatar “is a graphical representation of someone, usually a human form” (p. 6). Nancy states that virtual interaction and participation with others can lead to positive results and increased learning both in the client and the therapist:
Who is Nancy from Virtual Connections?
Nancy and Mike are at the forefront of incorporating virtual technologies into their practices. Nancy is the Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Buffalo, author of the Virtual Connections blog (http://njsmyth.wordpress.com/), and is very passionate about this work. According to Nancy, “technology is all about talking and collaboration,” and it represents a great shift from a more traditional one-way communication model. She considers collaborative technology use as vital to keeping social work competitive as a profession:
Is a comment on a website moderated?
All comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic, contribute to discussion about the article/content, and are not abusive or disrespectful to others. If you have a question for our staff, please submit it through our Contact page, not through this comment form. We will not approve comments that identify a client or that relate to a personal situation (e.g., personal mental health or social service needs, complaints about a provider, etc.). If you have an emergency, please call your provider or 911. Thank you.
How does social work help with substance use?
Social work must return to its roots to “start where the client is” by promoting lower thresholds for substance-use treatment entry and to support client self-determination in treatment decisions such as the selection of treatment goals, which may include harm reduction, controlled use, or abstinence. We strongly believe that such a shift will open the doors to treatment and increase the accessing of services for a greater number of substance users who have otherwise been deterred from seeking or staying in treatment by the abstinence-only mandate. We also believe that the fixation upon complete abstinence as a measure of success diminishes the substantial gains that can often be made through reduced use, safer use, and other steps to improve one’s quality of life and health. Engaging these currently untreated substance users would help to bring about greater stability and improved health in the lives of this vulnerable and otherwise ignored population.
What is harm reduction in social work?
Harm reduction has gradually entered social work discourse and is now seen as a promising approach for treating individuals with drug and alcohol problems. However, beyond statements and data supporting the utility of a harm reduction approach, few guidelines for clinical practice have been detailed in the social work literature. This lack of concrete detail regarding how harm reduction is actually practiced limits the potential implementation of the model into day-to-day clinical work. This article reiterates that harm reduction is a viable approach to clinical social work practice with individuals who have drug- and alcohol-related problems and for whom traditional approaches may be inappropriate. It focuses on harm reduction therapy as an emerging treatment model that can be implemented by clinical social workers and mental-health and substance use treatment providers. The article identifies and elaborates several basic tenets that can be incorporated into clinical social work. It is hoped that social workers who learn how harm reduction is implemented in clinical practice will be more apt to incorporate its principles into their work.
Why do HRT practitioners need supervision?
HRT practitioners are advised to receive regular individual and/or group clinical supervision in order to manage the complexities of working with clients who actively use drugs. Supervision provides practitioners with opportunities for reflection and feedback on how they are working with high-risk clients, as well managing their own countertransference reactions and burnout (Harm Reduction Coalition 2011 ). In addition, ongoing training opportunities should be provided so that clinicians are current in their knowledge and methods. HRT practitioners should stay up-to-date on the pharmacology of alcohol and other drugs, especially those that are “new” to the streets. Many HRT practitioners also enhance their skills by developing clinical specialties and strategies that can be integrated into their harm reduction practice.
What is the level of motivation?
A person’s level of motivation (e.g., desire, self-efficacy, readiness, problem-recognition) is action-specific” (p. 136). A HRT practitioner works with clients to take the actions they are most motivated to take first, then continue to work with them towards new goals that may present themselves later on.
What is HRT in a communal setting?
HRT in communal settings holds clients to certain behavioralstandards, regardless of the client’s substance use (HarmReduction Coalition2011). Given that clients are workingtowards self-selected goals that may not include abstinence,they sometimes come to treatment under the influence. MostHRT practitioners do not necessarily see this as a violation ofpolicy or of the therapeutic relationship. As long as clients donot endanger themselves or others, and they behaverespectfully toward peers and service providers, they shouldbe made welcome (Denning and Little2012). Just as sobrietydoes not necessarily guarantee appropriate conduct, intoxi-cation does not necessarily guarantee inappropriate behav-ior. A common concern in communal environments is aboutthe ‘‘triggering’’ effects of clients who are intoxicated onthose who are not using, or attempting not to (Denning2000).Staff must work hard to resolve these conflicts and to rein-force the resolve and resilience of people who are moderat-ing or abstinent. The authors are, however, uncompromisingabout impaired driving. If someone has driven to a sessionunder the influence, we call a cab and, if needed, ask for theirkeys. When immediate safety is concerned, HRT practi-tioners become more directive.
What is harm reduction in social work?
Harm reduction has gradually entered socialwork discourse and is now seen as a promising approachfor treating individuals with drug and alcohol problems.However , beyond statements and data supporting the utilityof a harm reduction approach, few guidelines for clinicalpractice have been detailed in the social work literature.This lack of concrete detail regarding how harm reductionis actually practiced limits the potential implementation ofthe model into day-to-day clinical work. This article reit-erates that harm reduction is a viable approach to clinicalsocial work practice with individuals who have drug- andalcohol-related problems and for whom traditionalapproaches may be inappropriate. It focuses on harmreduction therapy as an emerging treatment model that canbe implemented by clinical social workers and mental-health and substance use treatment providers. The articleidentifies and elaborates several basic tenets that can beincorporated into clinical social work. It is hoped thatsocial workers who learn how harm reduction is imple-mented in clinical practice will be more apt to incorporateits principles into their work.
What is the role of a social worker?
The role of the social worker is to offer guidance and support as clients identify priorities and goals that are of greatest importance to them. Acceptance involves respecting the client's choices and only intervening in cases of serious, foreseeable and immediate risk of harm to self or others.
Why is acceptance important in social work?
"Starting where the client is at" is one of the most important tenets of professional social work. As a social worker, you serve clients from all walks of life, and you may soon find that you have strong personal feelings or judgments about particular populations or individuals.
What is Acceptance?
Acceptance in social work is also often referred to as "unconditional positive regard," "nonpossessive warmth," or "affirmation." These are not easy attitudes to develop, but they are needed if you're going to be an effective social worker.
What is nonjudgmental social work?
A nonjudgemental attidtude in social work allows you to help your client to the best of your abilities. When you pass judgment, you are no longer able to see the situation objectively and the client may pull away from you. The
What is the most difficult part of being a social worker?
Developing an attitude of nonjudgmental acceptance is one of the first, yet arguably most difficult, tasks of becoming a social worker.
Can social workers force change?
Sometimes, social workers who have not successfully dealt with their own issues may try to force clients to change based on their own internal, unmet needs. For example, a social worker who has been unable to forgive her cheating spouse may have extreme difficulty working with a client who is cheating on his partner.
