Social Work Practice (Essay Sample)

Social Work Practice
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Social Work Practice
Introduction
In today’s world, there is an increase in the number therapists who are seen turning to the online platform to conduct counseling or online therapy. The internet is seen to offer some new communication medium where psychotherapists deliver psychotherapeutic consultations that are appropriate to the medium. There are some raised legitimate concerns about the modality as it is feared that there might be some common risk factors that may be associated with confidentiality and privacy. In this study, the primary focus is on some of the risks that may exist in such models of counseling including the ethical issues that may be as well associated with the medium.
Confidentiality Risks in Online-Counseling
In the on-line counseling, there are some risks that may exist regarding confidentiality. The use of email services in delivering therapeutic consultations is seen to give way to many areas of consumers may be in danger. The clients are said to be at a greater risk for breaches in confidentiality that occurs at the recipients end when the information is being transferred. Regarding such risks and threats, therapists who are prone to the using internet for such services should enhance the security of their web accounts and computers against unrecognized information access that would compromise the confidentiality of the client. Some of the risks to confidentiality may include that of the invasion by hackers who might find a way to download files from the therapist’s computer. There might also be an inappropriate availability of some information concerning a client on the therapist’s computer in the office, or his family members. It is, therefore, important that the use of these systems should be accompanied by the installation of systems using firewalls, passwords and backup data storage (Liu, 2013).
Risks Aimed To Online Counselors.
Mature and adequately trained therapists who may be functioning within their bounds of competence may also be found within some ethical dilemmas that can cause those charges of misconduct. Such issues may sometimes be difficult to predict like in cases when a conflict may not be known until time has passed after taking on a client. In some instances, a counselor may understand a potential problem that may not be expected to arise. Sometimes the magnitude of such problems might be underestimated or assume that taking necessary actions may be unnecessary. In cases where some ethical problems can be foreseen, there may be no ways to avoid the problem. One of the parties involved may become upset in the process of such instances, but there may be no feasible options to prevent them. It is therefore to the caution of the counselor to take full responsibility and conduct their services with high considerations of the consequences. They should take note of every measure despite how unnecessary or little they may appear to be (Nefer, 2009).
Social Networking
Friend request on a social media platform can be said to constitute a dual relationship at times. Accepting the request may depend on the type of information the clients are privy to and also the kind of interaction expected. In a non-dual relationship, the therapist would only allow the clients to view the professional information and posts on the profile. Psychologists may decide to create a list of friends into various categories and use privacy controls efficiently and in the right manner while at the same time being sure of how they work. In dual relationships, a client may be seen to make friend requests asking the therapists to friendships that are not related to the therapeutic one. In this kind of relationship, the therapist would have allowed the client to post comments that are of personal nature and also access to the information on the profile. Before accepting any friend requests on the social media, it is necessary to understand what kind of relationship is to be expected from the friendship.
Dealing with Agitated Clients
There are some noncoercive methods of dealing with disturbed customers who have replaced the traditional ways. Most experienced practitioners have discovered that such interventions if used with genuine commitment may result in favorable outcomes more often as compared to previous methods. In this approach, three steps can be followed. The therapist can first engage the patient verbally after which a collaborative relationship can be developed. Then, the client is verbally drawn from the agitated state. Bringing a client from the disturbed state is the primary step in engaging the customer and assisting him in becoming an active partner in the evaluation process and treatment. In the process of dealing with agitated customers, the safety of the client, staff and other persons in the area is to be considered. It is also important to avoid the use of restraint when interacting and also avoiding coercive interventions that can cause agitation (Newhill, 2003).
Workplace Emergencies
Emergencies or disasters are never expected in a workplace and as such, it is necessary to prepare to respond to it before it happens. In cases of emergencies, the first thing that should be done is alerting everybody in the locality that there is a situation by using the emergency alarms. There are many chances that destruction will take place, and people may get injured in the process. It is, therefore, necessary that one should stay calm until an exit plan is figured out. The therapist should advise the client to remain firm and calm until they decide what move to take. In a workplace, as the therapist would be the one familiar with all the exits, he is to lead the clients to the safe door so as to be away from any dangers of the disaster. During the exit, the people should be advised to hold on to anything that could cover them from harm in case they are trapped in the building.
Responding To Suicidal Risk
Dealing with clients who have suicidal attitude is one challenging and emotionally charged issue in social work. A therapist needs to handle such cases with utmost care with professional experience. The first step is to assess the depth of the risk to the client and the causes of the risk. It should also be evaluated whether there have been any suicidal plans and if there is any history of suicide attempts. After following established procedures in the assessment, the therapist should provide a referral for appropriate complementary services. After the assessment, ways of reducing the risk should be determined so as to assist the client to overcome the factors that are forcing him towards the decision. The therapist should help the client to seek advice from experts so as to be supported using all means possible.
Responding To Client Abuse
The first step in responding to abuse is to establish trust with the client. The client will be freer to talk to the therapist when he is more comfortable and to have a feeling of sup...