Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

How should a social worker respond to a parent's request for specifics about their disabled child's therapy?

1. Help them understand any gaps in services

2. Assure them that everything will be fine

3. Encourage them to speak to other professionals

4. Exploit their concerns for better funding

The correct answer is: Help them understand any gaps in services

When a parent requests specifics about their disabled child's therapy, it is essential for a social worker to provide a thoughtful and detailed response. Helping the parents understand any gaps in services is crucial as it can empower them to advocate for their child's needs more effectively. This approach fosters collaboration and trust, allowing the parents to become more involved in their child's therapeutic process. By addressing any gaps, the social worker can provide clarity on what services are currently in place, what is lacking, and why those services are important. This not only informs the parent but also opens a dialogue about potential solutions, additional resources, or different strategies that could be helpful for the child. Other approaches, such as assuring the parents that everything will be fine, can be dismissive, undermining the legitimate concerns they may have. Encouraging them to speak to other professionals might leave them without immediate support and can create confusion regarding who is responsible for their child's therapy. Exploiting their concerns for better funding is unethical and does not prioritize the child’s well-being or the parent's trust, which is a fundamental aspect of the social work profession.