Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

When working with a client who has paranoid ideation, which approach should a social worker avoid?

1. Empathy

2. Confrontation

3. Validation

4. Support

The correct answer is: Confrontation

In the context of working with a client who has paranoid ideation, the use of confrontation should be avoided. This approach can lead to increased defensiveness and heightened distrust in the therapeutic relationship. Clients experiencing paranoid ideation often hold strong beliefs and may perceive any challenge to those beliefs as an attack, resulting in a breakdown of communication and rapport. In contrast, empathy, validation, and support are essential elements in establishing trust and a safe environment for clients with such ideation. Empathy involves understanding and genuinely relating to the client's feelings, which can help in building a therapeutic alliance. Validation acknowledges the client’s experiences and emotions, helping to affirm their feelings without dismissing them. Support encompasses providing reassurance and a consistent, understanding presence, helping to stabilize the client's emotional state. These approaches facilitate an environment conducive to healing and enable the client to explore their thoughts and feelings more openly without the fear of confrontation.