Question

A 25-year-old man meets with a social worker for the first time. The client describes the presenting problem, which includes symptoms of depression and a lack of sexual desire with his same-sex partner. The social worker feels uncomfortable when the client begins discussing changes in his sexual activity. At the end of the session, the client states that he feels better already and is looking forward to working with the social worker. The social worker should FIRST:

A. Offer to provide brief treatment for depression only.
B. Refer the client to an agency specializing in the treatment of homosexual clients.
C. Agree to work with the client on a trial basis.
D. Meet with the supervisor to discuss the discomfort.

Answer 1

The social worker should first meet with the supervisor to discuss their discomfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

The social worker should first meet with the supervisor to discuss their discomfort. It is important for the social worker to address their own discomfort and biases in order to provide appropriate and effective support to the client. By discussing their discomfort with the supervisor, they can gain guidance on how to manage their own feelings and provide the best possible support to the client. It's important for the social worker to address their own discomfort, especially when it relates to issues such as the client's sexual orientation. Seeking supervision is a common and responsible step to ensure that the social worker can process their feelings, biases, or discomfort in a professional manner. This allows the social worker to gain insights, guidance, and support from a more experienced colleague. After discussing the discomfort with the supervisor, the social worker can then determine the best course of action for providing effective and ethical support to the client.