Discussion 1
Discussion 1: Engaging and Assessing Across Levels of Social Work Practice
Maintaining the perspective that people are in constant interaction with their environment
and the social systems therein (the Person in Environment perspective) is a key concept in
the field of social work. Social work recognizes that the concerns or problems individuals
face might be due to many causes. This view also supports another goal of social work which
is to empower clients who are marginalized and oppressed to collaborate in the resolution of
their problems or concerns as experts of their life experiences. As such, looking at a problem
and assessing the needs of individuals depends on a review of the challenges they have
encountered on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Assessing the situation on all three
levels will provide a holistic map for goal planning. For example, you might assess a client’s
individual strengths and challenges, the support or lack of support received from family,
friends, and others in the client’s life regarding the issue, and the societal resources
available to address the problem.
For this Discussion, select either the course-specific case study for Abdel or Pedro. Then,
consider what information you need to gather and what questions you need to ask in order
to complete a proper assessment for the client, based on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
of social work practice.
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies:
Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital
Source e-reader].
Working with Immigrants and Refugees: The Case of Abdel
Working with Clients with HIV/AIDS: The Case of Pedro
Post a brief explanation of the information you need to gather and the questions you need to
ask, in order to complete a proper assessment for the client in the case study you selected,
based on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. Be sure to reference in
your post which case study you selected.
Support your posts and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Be sure to
provide full APA citations for your references. Should be at least 125 words with one reference and
citation.
Discussion 2
Discussion 2: Engaging Mandatory and Involuntary Clients
You walk into the waiting room to greet a client for the first time and the client begins
yelling at you, “I have done nothing wrong. I do NOT need to be here”. How might you react
to this behavior? During the intake session, the client exhibits classic signs of defensiveness
and disengagement, such as eye-contact avoidance and folded arms across the chest.
Working with clients who have not chosen to come to you for your services can be
challenging at times. How might this behavior impact your feelings about this client? It
likely could evoke your own sense of anxiety, frustration, or even anger. What steps would
you take to engage the client? Recognizing that the interaction is not truly about you will
help you maintain a professional and calm demeanor, even when you begin to feel your own
emotions rise. Many social workers engage with mandated or involuntary clients—for
example in child protective service agencies, correctional institutions, and sometimes
psychiatric facilities. Treating these clients with respect and attending to their concerns will
demonstrate your desire to assist them. Furthermore, verbalizing that you understand that
they are there against their will can begin a conversation about how they got there in the
first place. In these situations, an additional dose of empathy, warmth, and genuineness will
help you understand the client’s position and exemplify your desire to help.
For this Discussion, review the Hernandez Family Case Study video. Consider the potential
challenges of working with mandatory and involuntary clients, such as the Hernandez
family. The video can be found here, under the Hernandez tab, Episode 1:
Post, an explanation of the challenges you might face when working with mandatory and
involuntary clients, such as the Hernandez family.
Support your posts and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Be sure to
provide full APA citations for your references. Should be at least 125 words with one reference and
citation.