Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

In an ongoing therapeutic relationship, if a client mentions benefits from homeopathic treatment, what is the social worker's PRIMARY responsibility?

1. To assess the effectiveness of the homeopathic treatment

2. To discontinue all discussions of alternative treatment

3. To continue working with the client toward the treatment goals

4. To confront the client about the validity of homeopathic practices

The correct answer is: To continue working with the client toward the treatment goals

The primary responsibility of the social worker in this context is to continue working with the client toward the treatment goals. This approach emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic alliance, which is crucial for effective counseling. The social worker's role is to support the client in their journey and to acknowledge the client's perspectives and experiences, including their interest in homeopathic treatments. By focusing on the treatment goals, the social worker demonstrates respect for the client's autonomy and encourages open communication about their preferences and beliefs in treatment. This not only fosters trust but also allows the social worker to integrate the client’s views into the overall therapeutic process, potentially enhancing treatment engagement and effectiveness. Other options, such as assessing the effectiveness of the homeopathic treatment or confronting the client about its validity, could disrupt the therapeutic alliance and may not be aligned with a client-centered approach. Discontinuing discussions about alternative treatments could alienate the client and signal a lack of interest in their whole being, which is counterproductive to the goals of therapy. Engaging with the client while maintaining focus on shared therapeutic goals is the most supportive approach in this scenario.