Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

During a family therapy session, how should a social worker facilitate communication when one family member feels silenced?

1. Reprimand the family member who is not supportive

2. Encourage the family to write letters to each other

3. Use circular questioning with all family members

4. Change the subject to something less sensitive

The correct answer is: Use circular questioning with all family members

Using circular questioning with all family members is a highly effective way for a social worker to facilitate communication when one family member feels silenced. Circular questioning encourages all members of the family to participate in the discussion by exploring how each member perceives and is affected by the situation at hand. This approach allows for the inclusion of different perspectives and helps to validate the feelings of the family member who feels silenced. It enhances understanding among family members and fosters an environment where everyone feels that their voice is heard, which is crucial in therapy. This method also creates a platform for examining patterns of interaction and relationships within the family, which can reveal dynamics that may contribute to one member feeling overlooked. By engaging the entire family, the social worker can promote empathy and encourage dialogue that addresses the underlying issues more effectively.