Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

What is the best initial response by a social worker when a gay client insists on having a homosexual social worker?

1. Explore the client's reasons for this request

2. Respect the client's request without questioning

3. Refer the client to another social worker

4. Explain the social worker's own orientation

The correct answer is: Explore the client's reasons for this request

The best initial response in this scenario is to explore the client's reasons for their request for a homosexual social worker. Engaging the client in dialogue about this preference allows the social worker to understand the underlying concerns or needs that may be driving this desire. Clients may seek a social worker who shares a similar identity for various reasons, such as a perception of shared experience, comfort in discussing certain issues, or a belief that a shared identity will lead to better understanding and support. By exploring these reasons, the social worker can foster a deeper therapeutic relationship and create a more inclusive and supportive environment, while also addressing any misconceptions or concerns the client might have regarding the social worker’s abilities to provide culturally competent care. In contrast, simply respecting the client's request without questioning might overlook important context and potentially hinder the opportunity for the social worker to provide effective support. Referring the client to another social worker without exploring the request first may not be necessary and could leave the client feeling invalidated. Additionally, explaining the social worker's own orientation could lead to unnecessary focus on the worker's identity rather than the client's needs, which might not serve the therapeutic process effectively.