Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

During a family therapy session, what should the social worker do FIRST after discovering that the adolescent's parents have violated her privacy?

1. Review family dynamics

2. Encourage the adolescent to respond to this disclosure

3. Discuss the importance of trust

4. Facilitate a family discussion

The correct answer is: Encourage the adolescent to respond to this disclosure

The correct approach is to encourage the adolescent to respond to the disclosure of her parents violating her privacy. This step is crucial as it prioritizes the adolescent's feelings and perspective in the situation. By allowing her to process and express her emotions about the breach of privacy, the social worker helps to validate her experience and fosters an environment where her voice is heard and respected. This action is also important because it empowers the adolescent and aids her in articulating her thoughts, which is essential in a therapeutic setting. It helps build her confidence in communicating her needs and concerns within the family context. Additionally, focusing on the adolescent first can facilitate further discussions about trust and family dynamics in a more constructive manner later in the session. While reviewing family dynamics, discussing trust, and facilitating family discussions are all relevant actions, they can be more effective after ensuring the adolescent feels supported and has had the opportunity to express her feelings about the violation. Thus, encouraging her to respond sets a strong foundation for addressing the underlying issues within the family.