Jackie and Anna initiated couples' therapy because of disagreements about their holiday plans. They both would like to spend the time together. Jackie, however, feels pulled to visit her family during the holidays because they live in another state and she has not seen them in a while. Anna states that she does not feel completely comfortable at the home of Jackie's parents. She perceives them as distant and avoiding meaningful contact because of their discomfort with their relationship. There is tension in the relationship because Jackie is not completely comfortable being open about her sexual orientation with her family. Jackie comes from a family where communication is less open while Annie is accustomed to being more expressive. Their overall goal was to improve their communication with each other.
During the first session with the couple, the social worker might state "I can sense the urgency you feel in wanting to solve your problems. I wish I could give advice that would lead to an easy solution. You've probably already had plenty of advice, because most people offer advice freely. It has been my experience, though, that what works for one couple may not work at all for another."
The social worker is:
a. sensing that the couple is going to have a hard time resolving their identified problem.
b. helping the couple modify their unrealistic expectations as well as clarifying her role.
c. giving informed consent by suggesting that her services may not always be effective for this type of problem.
d. using reverse psychology to motivate the couple to see the solutions that already exist in their lives.
Answer (2)
In this scenario involving Jackie and Anna, a couple attending therapy to address disagreements about their holiday plans and broader communication issues, the social worker's statement is addressing the couple's expectations of the therapeutic process.
Understanding the Situation : Jackie wants to visit her family during the holidays but is not entirely comfortable being open about her sexual orientation with them. Meanwhile, Anna feels uncomfortable with Jackie's family due to perceived distance and avoidance. The fundamental issue is their contrasting communication styles and expectations from each other in relation to their families.
The Social Worker's Role : The social worker is tasked with facilitating communication between Jackie and Anna. This involves helping them navigate their different family dynamics and communication styles to reach a mutual understanding.
Analyzing the Social Worker's Statement :
The social worker acknowledges the couple's urgency to resolve their problems but clarifies that advice which might have worked for others may not be the solution for them. This suggests that every couple's situation is unique and requires personalized solutions.
By highlighting that the process might not provide immediate solutions, the social worker is managing expectations and emphasizing the importance of exploring personalized communication strategies.
Correct Option : The social worker is b. helping the couple modify their unrealistic expectations as well as clarifying her role . This response is appropriate as it aligns with the therapist's task of managing expectations and clarifying the collaborative nature of therapy, where solutions are not always immediate or straightforward but rather co-created through dialogue.
Expected Outcome : Over time, Jackie and Anna can work on understanding each other's needs and perspectives, developing effective communication strategies that respect both their individual backgrounds and shared goals.
In conclusion, the social worker's approach of setting realistic expectations and avoiding generic advice aligns with establishing a therapeutic environment conducive to genuine, personalized understanding and problem-solving.
The social worker is helping Jackie and Anna modify their unrealistic expectations while clarifying her role in the therapy process. Her statement emphasizes that solutions are not one-size-fits-all and each couple's situation requires a personalized approach. The best choice is option b.
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