Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

In the case of a sexually abused child exhibiting acting out behavior, what should the social worker communicate to the mother?

1. Will almost certainly decrease over time.

2. Probably means the child is still being abused.

3. Necessitates continued treatment.

4. Substantiates child abuse.

The correct answer is: Necessitates continued treatment.

In the context of a sexually abused child exhibiting acting out behaviors, communicating that continued treatment is necessary emphasizes the importance of ongoing support and intervention for the child's emotional and psychological well-being. Acting out can be a manifestation of the trauma the child has experienced, and it often indicates that the child is struggling to process their feelings and experiences. By stressing the need for continued treatment, the social worker highlights the idea that healing from trauma is a complex, non-linear process that requires sustained therapeutic engagement. This approach encourages the mother to seek additional support for the child, reinforcing that the behaviors may not resolve on their own and further therapeutic intervention may be essential in addressing the underlying trauma. It signals to the mother that professional guidance will be critical in helping the child develop healthier coping mechanisms and a path towards recovery. Other responses may imply different levels of seriousness or outcome related to the child's behavior but do not address the essential need for ongoing psychological support and therapy that is crucial for healing after such trauma.