Social work assignment

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2012). Understanding generalist practice (6th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Chapter 2, "Practice Skill for Working with Individuals" (pp. 54-93)

Knight, C. (2012). Social workers' attitudes towards and engagement in self-disclosure. Clinical Social Work Journal, 40(3), 297-306.

Turner, K., Steketee, G., & Nauth, L. (2010). Treating elders with compulsive hoarding: A pilot program. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 17(4), pp. 449-457.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

Part 1, "The Parker Family"

Laureate Education. (Producer). (2013). Parker Family Episode 1[Video file]. In Sessions. Retrieved fromhttps://class.waldenu.edu

Discussion 1: Identifying Micro Skills

As a new social work student, it takes a lot of time and practice to learn how to work with clients. Knowing when to use micro skills such as rephrasing or clarifying a statement, confronting a situation, or disclosing your personal experiences can be unclear at times. Suppose a client you are working with shares experiences of child abuse. You also experienced child abuse, although, not to the extent that your client is sharing. Do you share your experience with the client? What would be the purpose of this self-disclosure? When is it appropriate to tell a client about your history? The latter question not only depends on your comfort-level with the disclosure; it also depends on the rules and regulations of your agency. Some settings, such as those involving substance abuse, encourage the hiring of people with substance abuse histories and, in turn, allow self-disclosure. However, hospital and psychiatric settings may restrict self-disclosure to protect their clients and the social worker. When might one micro skill be more appropriate than another? What challenges might you face when using micro skills if they are not used properly?

For this Discussion, review this week's Resources. Consider any challenges you might encounter when using micro practice skills while interviewing the client. Then think about what other skills you might use to overcome those challenges. Finally, reflect on any skills at which you think you might excel while working with the client.

Post an explanation of the challenges you might encounter when using micro practice skills while interviewing the client. Then explain what skills you might use to overcome those challenges. Finally, explain what skills you think you might excel at while working with a client and why.

Support your posts and responses with specific references to the Resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2012). Understanding generalist practice (6th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Chapter 13, "Gender-Sensitive Social Work Practice" (pp. 473-512)

Discussion 2: Using Engagement Skills in Social Work Practice

Engaging with clients is one of the most important skills you use as a social worker in that it helps you build a strong rapport with clients. Engaging with another person can be challenging because it involves several skills including proper eye contact, attentive listening, appropriate body position, and tone of voice. How you exhibit these skills is equally important. If exhibited with empathy, genuineness, and warmth, these skills convey to clients that you want to help, that you are there to work with them, that you truly appreciate who they are, and that you value their concerns. Conveying empathy might not come as naturally to you as conveying genuineness and warmth. How do you know when you are conveying empathy or sympathy when working with clients? In your exchanges, it is important to convey a sense of understanding and caring, but not a sense of pity. It is likely that you have received demonstrations of empathy and sympathy in your life. How did it make you feel and how did you respond to it? Most clients will come to you with concerns or experiences you have not personally encountered. How might you convey a sense of empathy, rather than sympathy? How might you tap into your own experiences to find a sense of understanding?

For this Discussion, review this week's Resources, including the Parker Family Video case. Select one of the engagement skills (warmth, empathy, and genuineness) exhibited with Helen and Stephanie in the video. Then, consider how the social worker from the video expressed that skill when working with Helen and Stephanie. Finally, think about the effectiveness of the skill the social worker is exhibiting.

Post a brief description of the engagement skill you selected from the video. Then explain how the social worker from the video expressed that skill when working with Helen and Stephanie. Finally, explain the effectiveness of the skill the social worker is exhibiting.

Support your posts and responses with specific references to the Resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.