Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

What is the best way for a social worker to address the concerns of a truant adolescent during treatment?

1. Encourage the parents to be more lenient

2. Utilize reasoning to convince the adolescent

3. Increase boundaries set by the parents

4. Provide psychoeducation to the parents

The correct answer is: Provide psychoeducation to the parents

Providing psychoeducation to the parents is an effective approach for addressing the concerns of a truant adolescent during treatment because it empowers the parents with knowledge and strategies to support their child's educational engagement. By educating parents about the possible underlying issues of truancy—such as anxiety, peer pressures, or learning difficulties—they can better understand their child's behavior and the importance of consistent school attendance. Additionally, psychoeducation can equip parents with practical tools to create a supportive home environment that encourages academic success. This may include discussing the impact of truancy on a child's future, helping to establish effective communication, and promoting healthier coping mechanisms for both the adolescent and the parents. This collaborative involvement strengthens the family dynamics and fosters a support system that can address the roots of truancy more effectively than approaches that place the responsibility solely on the adolescent or enforce stricter boundaries without addressing underlying issues.