LSA - Licensed Social Worker Associate The Social Work Relationship Questions and Answers

Question 1

A social worker has been meeting with a client for several weeks.
The client, who had a difficult relationship with their mother, begins to express intense, unfounded admiration for the social worker, stating, 'You're the only one who has ever truly understood me, much more than my own family.' This is MOST likely an example of:

Accepted Answer

Transference

Answer

Rapport

Answer

Countertransference

Answer

Empathy

Question 2

Which of the following BEST distinguishes empathy from sympathy within the social work relationship?

Accepted Answer

Empathy is feeling 'with' a client by understanding their perspective, while sympathy is feeling 'for' a client's situation.

Answer

Empathy involves feeling sorry for the client, while sympathy involves sharing the client's feelings.

Answer

Sympathy is a required professional skill for rapport, while empathy is an optional trait.

Answer

Sympathy creates a stronger therapeutic bond than empathy by showing pity.

Question 3

A social worker in a rural community discovers that their new client is the parent of their child's best friend. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the social worker's primary responsibility in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Inform the client of the dual relationship, discuss potential conflicts of interest, and establish clear professional boundaries.

Answer

Immediately transfer the client to another provider to avoid any potential issues.

Answer

Continue with treatment but avoid discussing the personal connection to maintain professionalism.

Answer

Ask the child to no longer be friends with the client's child to eliminate the conflict.

Question 4

During a session, a social worker finds themselves feeling unusually irritated and critical of a client who reminds them of their own estranged sibling. The social worker begins to offer unsolicited advice. This emotional reaction from the social worker is known as:

Accepted Answer

Countertransference

Answer

Burnout

Answer

Transference

Answer

Dual Relationship

Question 5

Which of the following actions is MOST central to establishing initial rapport and trust with a new client?

Accepted Answer

Using active listening and demonstrating a non-judgmental attitude.

Answer

Immediately outlining the agency's policies and procedures in detail.

Answer

Sharing personal stories to show the social worker is relatable.

Answer

Quickly identifying problems and formulating a treatment plan.

Question 6

A social worker is obligated by the NASW Code of Ethics to maintain professional boundaries. Which of the following is an example of a boundary violation?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in a business venture with a current client.

Answer

Accepting a small, handmade card from a child client at the end of services.

Answer

Briefly and purposefully self-disclosing a past resolved struggle to normalize a client's experience.

Answer

Extending a session by ten minutes to manage a client's acute crisis.