Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The best initial action for the social worker is to clarify professional boundaries. It is essential for social workers to maintain clear professional boundaries to uphold ethical standards and safeguard the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. By defining these boundaries, the social worker ensures that the relationship remains focused on the client's needs and treatment goals without becoming overly personal or blurred by dual relationships.

In this scenario, while it may seem supportive to accompany the client to church services, doing so could compromise the professional role of the social worker. The social worker's primary responsibility is to provide therapy and support within a context that maintains professionalism. Therefore, clarifying these boundaries creates a space for discussing expectations and ensures that both the worker and the client understand the nature of their relationship.

Addressing the client's request by discussing the reasons behind it could be appropriate, but it should come after establishing clear boundaries. Agreeing to accompany the client could lead to ethical dilemmas, and declining without further exploration may leave the client's needs unaddressed. Thus, reinforcing professional boundaries is the critical first step in this situation.