Self Disclosure In Social Work

In appropriate self-disclosure, it is important to use restriction of what information to divulge to clients and to assess if there is any underlying reasoning why the social worker feels compelled to the information (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). Self-disclosure, while seemingly well-intended, can possible result in adverse effects. As Kirst-Ashman and Hull state (2018), responses to clients must be given with tactfulness (p.83). Self-disclosure is disadvantageous when it involves the professional utilizing the client to their benefit, such as relief of culpability or coming to terms with the professional’s own issues (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). The purpose of the professional in the relationship is to target the needs of the clients and work …show more content…
Differences between the members of the family have become increasingly aggravated over the years being coupled with mental and physical illness, which both Sara, the mother, and Stephanie, her roommate and daughter, both display (Laureate Education, 2013; Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). When working with families where there are high levels of disdain towards the members and the family system may be on the verge of crisis, it would most likely be critical that the social worker be cautious as to not cause more damage in an already fragile situation. The social worker must be aware of the environment they are going into, and acknowledge the feelings that they are entitled to of each …show more content…
In the case of the Parkers (Laureate Education, 2013; Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014), the techniques I would combine and empathetic statement with an open-ended question. For example, “Stephanie, you seem to be a bit frustrated and discouraged. I wonder what you do that helps you to keep focused on maintaining your progress thus far.” This approach could possibly lead garnering information from Stephanie that can aid the social worker assessing the strengths of