Part 1
Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that accompanies speech. Common forms of body language are eye contact, posture, facial expression, and fine and gross movement. Social workers must understand how these seemingly simple, sometimes unconscious, body language responses may have a lasting effect by encouraging or discouraging a client. Body language with a negative connotation can create barriers and dissuade a client from establishing and developing the helping relationship. In contrast, when the social worker’s body language conveys openness, interest, and empathy, the client is more likely to feel comfortable and receptive to assistance.
Because nonverbal communication can hinder a successful client relationship, social workers need to understand the way in which they present themselves. This extends to what is presented via the environment, as well—including the office layout and the tone it conveys.
In this Discussion, you explore body language, room design, and their effects on the client-social worker relationship by assessing a scenario.
Identify one to two points you would change in each of the following aspects of the video scenario:
Seating arrangements of the social worker and client
Room design and decor
Body positions of the social worker and client
Explain why you would make these changes and how these changes might improve the interviewing process.
Describe the overall energy in the room and how the office design and social worker’s body language help to create this type of energy.
In each response, identify one change in the office design or the social worker’s body language that would create a more nurturing environment.
Explain why this change creates a more comfortable space for the client
Part 2
Chances are someone has asked you to keep a secret at some point in your life. But what if that secret involved someone harming themselves or another person who was in immediate danger? Would you feel compelled to tell?
Thankfully, this question of when to divulge information to outside parties is not a mystery in social work. There are strict laws that govern when a social worker must report to authorities a client’s disclosures. At the beginning of treatment, the social worker should inform the client of these limits to confidentiality in order to avoid any confusion or feelings of distrust.
In this Discussion, you examine the requirements of mandated reporting and share your views about confidentiality.
Review the Learning Resources on social work ethics, including confidentiality and mandated reporting.
Think about a time when an assumption of confidentiality in your own life was violated by someone. For example, perhaps someone shared private information or a secret of yours with another person.
Consider your perspective on mandated reporting in light of that experience.
Describe at least two circumstances when social workers are legally mandated to break client confidentiality and disclose selected privileged information without the client’s consent.
Identify a time when someone broke your confidence (e.g., shared a secret of yours), and explain how you felt in response.
Describe how your experiences related to confidentiality have shaped your view on mandated reporting
dentify one ethical standard or principle from the NASW Code of Ethics that is upheld or violated in the specific circumstances your colleague identified.
