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

What should a social worker do if a client expresses frustration about their teen’s behaviors during a therapy session?

1. Normalize the teen’s behaviors as typical adolescent development

2. Invite the spouse into the session to discuss parenting approaches

3. Explore the client's feelings of frustration and their impact

4. Include the teen in the therapy process immediately

The correct answer is: Explore the client's feelings of frustration and their impact

When a client expresses frustration about their teen's behaviors during a therapy session, it's essential for the social worker to explore the client's feelings of frustration and their impact. This approach allows the social worker to validate the client's emotions and provide a safe space for them to express their concerns. Understanding the root of the frustration can lead to deeper insights into the family dynamics and the client's parenting stress. It can also help the therapist to guide the client toward healthy coping mechanisms and strategies for addressing their teen's behaviors. By focusing on the client's feelings, the social worker can encourage self-reflection and enhance the client's awareness of how their emotions might affect their interactions with their teen. This careful exploration lays the groundwork for more productive discussions about potential solutions and provides a therapeutic environment where the client feels heard and supported. The other options, while relevant to the overall situation, may not effectively address the immediate emotional needs of the client. For instance, normalizing the teen’s behaviors does not necessarily validate the client's feelings or address their frustration; inviting a spouse into the session could complicate the discussion if the client requires more individual exploration first; and including the teen immediately might overlook the client's need to process their feelings first, which can be vital for a productive and constructive therapy process.