SHARING PERSONAL INFORMATION
Imagine that a client enters an agency for help applying for SNAP benefits due to a recent layoff. The client communicates shame at having to seek assistance. It just so happens that earlier in their life, the social worker also received food stamps. Should the social worker share their story to promote empathy and assure the client?
You may encounter debate within the profession of social work as to whether self-disclosure is acceptable. Since many social workers enter the profession because they are inspired by a personal experience, they may tend to relate to a client’s situation. This connection to the client’s situation can prompt the sharing of personal information as a way to reciprocate. However, social workers are careful not to cross boundaries. Problems of inappropriate self-disclosure include shifting focus from the client, opening oneself up to vulnerability, and contributing to a casual instead of a formal, professional relationship.
In this Discussion, you investigate the question of self-disclosure more closely by analyzing a social worker-client conversation.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Readings
Cournoyer, B. R. (2017). The social work skills workbook (8th ed.). Cengage.
Chapter 12, “Working and Evaluating.” Read pages 462–463 for an explanation of self-disclosure.
National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social WorkersLinks to an external site.. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Szczygiel, P. (2020). In the field – to self-disclose or not to self-disclose: That question is too simpleLinks to an external site.. The New Social Worker. https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/field-to-self-disclose-or-not-to-self-disclose-that-question-is-too-simple/
Media
To prepare:
Review the Learning Resources on self-disclosure and ethics.
Watch the Southside Community Services video listed in this week’s Learning Resources.
BY DAY 7
Submit a 2- to 3-page paper in which you:
Identify and describe the moment the social worker self-disclosed to the client.
Explain how the self-disclosure affected the interview process.
Did it create a tense environment or one of comfortableness?
Describe the positive and negative aspects of the self-disclosure with this client.
Would you have self-disclosed with this client? Why, or why not? Refer to the ethical standard that supports or restricts this disclosure.
Apply concepts and material from this week’s resources to inform your paper. A standard academic paper is written in 12-point font and double-spaced.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
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Rubric
SOCW_2002_Week8_Assignment_Rubric
SOCW_2002_Week8_Assignment_Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSubmit a 2- to 3-page paper in which you: Identify and describe the moment the social worker self-disclosed to the client.
10 to >9.0 pts
Exceeds Expectations
Response meets expectations and exceeds through additional details and examples from the Learning Resources or other professional or academic sources.
9 to >8.0 pts
Meets Expectations
Response accurately identifies the moment the social worker self-disclosed to the client and fully describes it… Response demonstrates clear connection to the Learning Resources.
8 to >7.0 pts
Fair
Response accurately identifies the moment the social worker self-disclosed to the client but provides a limited, incomplete, or vaguely developed description… Response may show evidence of connection to the Learning Resources, but it is vague or poorly connected.
7 to >0 pts
Needs Improvement
Response does not identify the moment the social worker self-disclosed to the client, or the identified moment is inaccurate. Response makes little or no attempt to describe the moment of self-disclosure… Response does not demonstrate connection to the Learning Resources. No resources are used to support the response.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExplain how the self-disclosure affected the interview process… Did it create a tense environment or one of comfortableness?
22 to >19.8 pts
Exceeds Expectations
Response meets expectations and exceeds through insightful connection to social work practice and/or additional details and examples from the Learning Resources or other professional or academic sources.
19.8 to >17.6 pts
Meets Expectations
Response fully explains how the self-disclosure affected the interview process, including whether the self-disclosure created a tense or comfortable environment… Response demonstrates clear connection to the Learning Resources.
17.6 to >15.4 pts
Fair
Response provides a limited, incomplete, or vaguely developed explanation of how the self-disclosure affected the interview process. The impact of the self-disclosure on the environment is addressed but in a cursory manner… Response provides a limited, incomplete, or vaguely developed reflection on the experience and whether or not the provider adequately informed the student of their rights… Response may show evidence of connection to the Learning Resources, but it is vague or poorly connected.
15.4 to >0 pts
Needs Improvement
Response makes little or n
