The Art Of Listening: The Many Hats Of A Social Worker

The Art of Listening/ The Many Hats of a Social Worker/
Introduction
Social Workers often wear two hats, and struggle to find a balance between the organization's mandate and the social worker's values and ethics of what they feel is right for their client but not necessarily in line with the agency’s mandate. This paper will address two case scenarios and will explain the interdisciplinary work of a social worker. First, it is the duty of a social worker to keep confidentiality with their clients, unless they fall under certain categories, which social workers have a duty to report. This often creating gray areas, to finding what course of action should be taken - to break or keep professional secrecy. Second, a social worker is mandated

A social worker must deal with the crisis at hand and provide resources and a listening ear while being non judgemental (CASW). First, the organization’s mandate is to aid men who are subject to acts of violence. it is the job of a social worker to accept that the population of the clientele. Therefore, one must be competent in dealing with the struggles as a worker. Personally, domestic abuse triggers feelings of anger and frustration from past experience. This client which would be difficult for me to deal with since I have direct experience in this area. However, this is part of the job of a social worker, setting aside personal values, experiences and mindset and understanding the client while providing a listening ear. (CASW) This leads me to the next value to respect all persons

A coping strategy noted by Carl Rogers was the unconditional positive regard (Bob Shebib, 80). The unconditional positive regard encourages one that acceptance is felt and communicated by counsellors without condition, judgement or expectation. He acknowledges that it is the social worker's job to condemn or punish the client, this will be counterproductive to helping the client. Rather, according to Rogers, be warm and caring to the client for positive change and hope this will attract the client to continue seeking services. Another core concept in Rogers theory is to have empathy and be genuine. Strategies to cope with these type of situations such as through conversing by asking why he feels he wants to display violence and ask him if he is aware what will be the consequence of his actions. This case, may be difficult for me to handle, because of personal experience, therefore, it would require effort to accept and try to aid the client at hand, having integrity for professional practice, by being open and nonjudgmental.