Lashonda Case Study Social Work

There are several presenting problem in LaShonda case. The first issue is that she is suicidal; she has been placed on a 5150, due to her overdosing on pills. The next problem is that LaShonda was diagnosed with depression six month ago after losing her job. Then LaShonfa told her therapist that she lost her job because she was black. The last issue is LaShonda sense of hopelessness, which is making her feel like she wants to die. When a social worker is helping a client they must be aware of the emotions that may conjure up during the helping process.
According to Hummel (2013) “When a therapy client presents with thoughts, emotions, or behaviors that trigger a therapist 's own unresolved conflicts, the therapist may experience countertransference”(p.1). …show more content…
Establishing this connection could be difficult since every client is different in personality, culture, values and beliefs. One of the most notable methods to use when a practitioner is engaging a client is using the cross-cultural curative factors. According to Harper-Dorton and Lantz (2007) “their application in cross-cultural practice can aid the worker in developing helpful and culturally appropriate intervention activities with special populations and clients from different cultural backgrounds”(p.3). Cross-cultural curative factors are a gateway to understanding people of different cultures allowing the helping professional to intervene in the lives of their clients. The first cross-cultural curative factor is “worldview respect.” A social worker’s life experience should incorporate an understanding of existence in society, family and interpersonal relationships (Harper-Dorton and Lantz 2007). Every client has a different worldview; our therapeutic practice would not be effective unless the methods we use are compatible with the client’s worldview. LaShonda is really upset that she lost her job due to her racial identity. The social worker in this case must be able to acknowledge that possibility that LaShonda did lose her job due to her skin color. I would not jump to conclusion. I need to hear the client’s entire story and not judge her no matter how absurd her story may sound. In addition, I would respect LasShonda’s worldview because her life experiences have shaped the way she feels about her identity. The second cross-cultural factor is “hope.” Clients need to have hope about the power or potential for help in the healing relationship (Harper-Dorton and Lantz 2007). Hope will make the healing process more effective. In order for a practitioner to establish hope they need to hang their certificate, awards, and credentials symbolizing their effectiveness in their profession.