Discussion 9
Galen _respond to 1
In the past, I worked with a family where the parents were addicted to drugs. The parents reported being addicted to drugs due to their background and worried that it affected their ability to parent their children.
The first question I would ask them would be an exception question. This would help me to gage if they constantly feel the need to use drugs or if there are times where they do not feel dependent. I would ask: “Are there times where the need to use is not as strong? What happens in those moments that you feel more comfortable with coping?” (Turner, 2017)
The second question I would ask would be a relationship question. I would want to know more about how they feel their relationship with their children was being impacted. My question would be: “If your child were old enough to understand the severity of the situation, what do you think they would think?” or “How do you feel your child perceives you as their caregiver?” (Turner, 2017)
Asking these questions in tandem would allow the client to look inside themselves and try to see their situation from another angle. They will be able to identify any possible triggers for them and it will also provide a clearer picture of how the parent views themself.
As the worker thinking about which questions I would ask, I felt almost as if I would upset the client and I didn’t want them to feel bad about themselves. I think that the questions aren’t intrusive, but can make the client feel that they are having too much asked of them. I feel that once they understand the purpose of the questions, however, they will begin to understand the self-reflective value of them.
References
Turner, F. (2017). Social Work Treatment: Interlocking Theoretical Approaches. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Client History/Problem
Clare became depressed after learning of her wife's infidelity; she became heartbroken, which sent her into a state of depression, resulting in her calling the crisis hotline. The unfaithfulness of her wife has created a sense of loss and portrayal.
Coping questions
How are you coping with the possibility of knowing that there may be unfaithfulness in your marriage?
Scaling – Question
If you were to rank your marriage on a scale of one to ten, being hopeful of saving your relationship, and ten being fearful of divorce.
Identifying a solution
In asking the first coping question, I would encourage the client to focus on her strengths and what she was willing to do to reduce her relationship being vulnerable to an affair. Her response would further guide Clara in developing solutions needed to address her marital infidelity with her wife, either through attending marriage counseling or individual counseling, at the same time increasing Clara's strength and empowerment skills. At the same time, the social worker would help Clara identify the appropriate coping skills necessary in supporting and acknowledging her feelings in her marriage. When asking the second scaling question, it allows the social worker to meet the client at the point they are at while establishing a clear indicator of what progress would look like for the client (Turner, 2017). By rating her married, the client can evaluate her situation and develop a solution that will advance her to the point that she can rank her marriage based on real workable and attainable solutions.
In 1 to 2 sentences, reflect and explain how asking these questions made you feel and perhaps how the client might feel.
Using solution-oriented questions can empower the client to feel like they are experts as the social worker listens and explores the meaning of her perception of the situation (Turner, 2017). Specific questions further design a secure and welcoming space for the client to think about and review the situation aiming for solutions. At the same time, the social worker is there essentially to listen and support the client in finding a solution without rendering or recommending predetermined solutions (Turner, 2017).
Reference:
Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press