Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

If a client becomes silent and blushes during an initial interview, what should the social worker do next?

1. Probe further with questions to make the client respond

2. Remain silent for a few seconds

3. Change the topic immediately

4. Dismiss the client from the session

The correct answer is: Remain silent for a few seconds

When a client becomes silent and demonstrates behaviors such as blushing during an initial interview, remaining silent for a few seconds is an appropriate response. This approach allows the client the space and time they may need to process their feelings or thoughts. Silence can encourage the client to reflect on what they may want to convey and can be a therapeutic tool that fosters a deeper emotional connection between the client and the social worker. By allowing for this moment of silence, the social worker demonstrates patience and respect for the client’s emotional state, which can help build trust in the therapeutic relationship. Clients might feel more comfortable opening up in a non-pressured environment, diminishing the intensity of their reaction and enabling them to share more authentically when they are ready. Engaging in this way promotes a safer therapeutic setting that encourages dialogue and exploration of underlying issues, rather than forcing a response prematurely.