Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

What is the best approach for a social worker to empower a client struggling with anxiety and feelings of hopelessness?

1. Acknowledge the client's feelings and right to self-determination

2. Engage in collaborative treatment planning

3. Explore the client's strengths and past successes

4. Help the client identify and address triggers for panic attacks

The correct answer is: Explore the client's strengths and past successes

Empowering a client who struggles with anxiety and feelings of hopelessness involves highlighting their inherent strengths and past accomplishments. When a social worker explores the client’s strengths and previous successes, it serves several important functions. First, it helps the client recognize their resilience and abilities, which can foster a sense of self-efficacy. This recognition can be crucial for clients who may feel overwhelmed by negativity and self-doubt, as it shifts the focus from what they perceive as failures to what they have successfully navigated in the past. Additionally, recalling past successes can instill hope and motivation to face current challenges, reinforcing the understanding that they possess resources that can aid in overcoming their present difficulties. This approach can significantly enhance the therapeutic alliance, as clients feel understood and validated, leading to increased engagement in the therapeutic process. While acknowledging feelings and rights to self-determination, engaging in collaborative treatment planning, and identifying triggers for panic attacks are all valuable strategies in therapy, they do not directly focus on empowering the client in the same profound way that exploring strengths does. By centering on the client's strengths, the social worker not only promotes self-empowerment but also lays a foundation for building coping strategies and resilience necessary for managing anxiety effectively.