Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

When working with a woman experiencing job performance decline and a traumatic past, what should the social worker focus on initially?

1. Helping her repair her relationships

2. Addressing her childhood trauma

3. Stopping her drug use

4. Finding new employment opportunities

The correct answer is: Stopping her drug use

In situations where a client is experiencing job performance decline and has a traumatic history, it is crucial to prioritize immediate issues affecting her stability and functioning. Focusing initially on stopping her drug use addresses a potentially critical aspect of her overall health and performance. Substance use can severely impair cognitive functions, emotional regulation, and decision-making abilities, thus directly impacting her job performance. By prioritizing this issue, the social worker can help the woman create a safer and more stable environment, which is essential before addressing deeper psychological concerns or external factors, such as employment opportunities or relationship dynamics. Once the substance use is under control, there can be a more effective approach to exploring her traumatic past, repairing relationships, and seeking new job opportunities, as these areas often require a level of stability and clarity that can be hindered by substance use.