Clinical social workers conduct psychosocial assessments to better understand the complex lives of clients. It is a guiding tool that aid social workers in obtaining relevant information such as demographics, identifying the problems and concerns, past and present experiences in order to give meaning to the client’s life. While this process is relevant to social workers, one can encounter challenging or difficult clients who will test the expertise of a social worker. This paper will discuss such client who was court ordered to complete parenting classes, individual therapy, random drug screening and has been non-compliant with treatment.
Background Information:
Salina is a 39-year-old Guyanese American female. She identifies more with the …show more content…
I met with Salina for the first at the ACS Brooklyn field office for a family team conference meeting. She was casually dressed for the weather, but looked a bit tired. Her hair was unkept and she looked sweaty. Salina seemed uncomfortable as she was fidgeting in her seat. She was not accompanied by anyone. Salina was not given an opportunity to speak about what lead her to where she was, but was told of all the services she must complete in order for reunification to occur. She was provided with all of the referrals of the possible places she can go to complete her mandated services. Salina agreed to the service plan, without showing any emotions. She had a flat affect and made minimal eye contact. As I sat there, I wondered to myself, how I can help her to regain her worth, power and dignity. As the meeting drew to a close, I moved over one seat closer to her and reintroduce myself again. I gave her my business card and told her that I will be speaking with her soon. She simple nodded her …show more content…
For instance, the feelings of shame and guilt were evident when she was unable to complete her high school diploma or GED. Also, the thoughts of being labeled as a bad mother since her babies were in care. In addition, Salina also felt guilty that she was unable to protect her daughter from the sexual abuse she endured. As I continued to assess Salina’s resistance, I believe that she was not ready for change to occur and that in itself seemed frightening to her. It was possible she was functioning that way for many years and it became a part of who she was. Based on her pattern dynamics, she became comfortable in her situation and did not see a way out. Further, I believe that her social environment played an integral role in her resistance. For example, the separation from her fiancé must have had a devastating impact on her although the relationship ended on bad terms. Salina was also separated from her children while she was incarcerated and when they were placed in foster care. When I looked at the relationship she had with her mother, it was described as being punitive. Salina probably looked at the system as a whole to be punitive which heightened her resistance. Finally, Salina's grandmother fostered a sense of dependency, which manifests itself in Salina's refusal to explore or change her current thoughts and
Background Information:
Salina is a 39-year-old Guyanese American female. She identifies more with the …show more content…
I met with Salina for the first at the ACS Brooklyn field office for a family team conference meeting. She was casually dressed for the weather, but looked a bit tired. Her hair was unkept and she looked sweaty. Salina seemed uncomfortable as she was fidgeting in her seat. She was not accompanied by anyone. Salina was not given an opportunity to speak about what lead her to where she was, but was told of all the services she must complete in order for reunification to occur. She was provided with all of the referrals of the possible places she can go to complete her mandated services. Salina agreed to the service plan, without showing any emotions. She had a flat affect and made minimal eye contact. As I sat there, I wondered to myself, how I can help her to regain her worth, power and dignity. As the meeting drew to a close, I moved over one seat closer to her and reintroduce myself again. I gave her my business card and told her that I will be speaking with her soon. She simple nodded her …show more content…
For instance, the feelings of shame and guilt were evident when she was unable to complete her high school diploma or GED. Also, the thoughts of being labeled as a bad mother since her babies were in care. In addition, Salina also felt guilty that she was unable to protect her daughter from the sexual abuse she endured. As I continued to assess Salina’s resistance, I believe that she was not ready for change to occur and that in itself seemed frightening to her. It was possible she was functioning that way for many years and it became a part of who she was. Based on her pattern dynamics, she became comfortable in her situation and did not see a way out. Further, I believe that her social environment played an integral role in her resistance. For example, the separation from her fiancé must have had a devastating impact on her although the relationship ended on bad terms. Salina was also separated from her children while she was incarcerated and when they were placed in foster care. When I looked at the relationship she had with her mother, it was described as being punitive. Salina probably looked at the system as a whole to be punitive which heightened her resistance. Finally, Salina's grandmother fostered a sense of dependency, which manifests itself in Salina's refusal to explore or change her current thoughts and