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

What is the next step for a therapist who finds their emotional response to a client affects their mood negatively?

1. Increase session frequency

2. Seek supervision

3. Refer the client to another therapist

4. Discuss feelings with the client

The correct answer is: Seek supervision

When a therapist recognizes that their emotional response to a client is impacting their mood in a negative way, seeking supervision is an essential next step. Supervision provides a safe space for therapists to reflect on their feelings and experiences in therapy. This process allows for professional guidance, enhances self-awareness, and facilitates understanding of how personal emotions might influence therapeutic interactions. By engaging in supervision, the therapist can gain insights from a more experienced colleague, explore their emotional responses in a constructive manner, and develop strategies to manage these feelings effectively. This is crucial not only for the therapist's own well-being but also for maintaining the therapeutic integrity and the quality of care provided to clients. Increasing session frequency may not directly address the therapist's emotional impact and might instead intensify their feelings without resolution. Referring the client to another therapist could be premature and doesn’t allow the therapist to explore their feelings or work through any challenges they are experiencing. Discussing feelings with the client could put unnecessary emotional burdens on the client and may not be appropriate unless the therapist has processed these feelings in supervision to determine if and how to bring it up constructively. Thus, seeking supervision stands out as the most effective way to address this professional challenge.