Question Pitfalls
Asking a client "Are you taking your medication?" is an example of this error.
What is a closed-ended question?
Instead of saying "Don't worry," a worker uses this skill to validate feelings.
What is empathetic reflection and/or listening?
A worker avoids telling a client to leave a relationship to respect this core principle.
What is self-determination?
Focusing on these particular skill can visually demonstrate presence during a hard disclosure.
What is non-verbal communication and/or active listening?
Asking "Why didn't you call the hotline?" may cause this unintended client reaction.
What is defensiveness or shame?
Asking "Tell me about your housing, your job, and your kids" in one breath is this error.
What is a multi-part or rapid-fire question?
Turning "Why did you mess up?" into "What factors contributed to this outcome?" is this technique.
When a client chooses a path you disagree with, your primary goal is this (not control).
What is supporting the client's autonomy?
Giving a client a choice of where to sit in the office promotes this trauma principle.
What is safety through empowerment and choice?
Instead of hypothetical questions during a crisis, a worker should strive for evaluating this.
What is concrete past or present coping strategies?
Asking "You wouldn't use substances around your child, right?" is this type of biased question.
What is a leading question?
Translating "You're bad at anger management" into an empathetic statement about what the client is GOOD at is called this.
What is a strengths-based statement?
Refusing to force a client into a program unless there is immediate danger respects this right and ethical principle.
What is dignity and inherent worth of all persons?
Pausing documentation to make eye contact prevents clients from feeling this way.
What is 'just another number' or part of a check list?
Using this skill or technique to close an interview-- especially after a major disclosure-- can help to prevent emotional crisis following the meeting with a client.
What is grounding and/or containment?
Starting questions with this specific word often makes clients feel interrogated or blamed.
What is 'why?'
Rephrasing "You missed two tests" into a collaborative barrier discussion uses this framework.
What is motivational interviewing?
Suggesting options rather than giving direct advice avoids creating this client dynamic.
What is dependence?
Rather than viewing hypervigilance during a home visit as non-compliance or resistance, a social worker might view it as this.
What is a survival skill?
Making promises to clients such as, "CFS won't take your kids!" is dangerous because it gives this to clients.
What is false reassurance?
The difference between a behavioral question and a hypothetical question in assessment.
What is asking about past vs future?
Reframing "You're admitting you lost your temper" into a reflection of feeling overwhelmed.
What is avoiding accusatory or legalistic language?
This technique will help you to handle a client who refuses to set goals during an intake session.
What is exploring readiness for change and/or meeting them where they're at?
A social worker would need to have a good understanding of this concept in order to avoid pushing a client into 'fight/flight/freeze' during an interview.
What is 'window of tolerance' and/or the nervous system?
The difference between an intrusive safety interrogation and a collaborative safety plan is the understanding of these two concepts.
What is coercive control vs empowerment?