Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

If an adolescent's mother requests individual therapy after her child has begun treatment, what should the social worker do?

1. Encourage the mother to join the sessions with her child

2. Provide the mother with the names of several social workers

3. Schedule a joint session with both the mother and adolescent

4. Refer the mother to a parenting support group

The correct answer is: Provide the mother with the names of several social workers

Providing the mother with the names of several social workers is appropriate in this scenario as it acknowledges the mother's request for individual therapy while respecting professional boundaries. The adolescent is the client in this situation, and the social worker's primary responsibility is to maintain the integrity of that therapeutic relationship. By referring the mother to other qualified professionals, the social worker ensures that both the mother and adolescent can receive the specific support they need without the potential complications of dual relationships or conflicts of interest. This approach allows the mother to pursue her own therapeutic journey while prioritizing the needs and confidentiality of the adolescent's treatment.