Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

When engaging with a client who has just shifted topics, what should be considered?

1. The topic might trigger anxiety

2. The client is trying to avoid difficult subject matter

3. Both A and B

4. The client is simply exploring new interests

The correct answer is: Both A and B

When a client shifts topics during a conversation, it is essential to consider both the potential for triggering anxiety and the possibility that the client may be attempting to avoid difficult subject matters. Recognizing that the new topic might evoke anxiety is crucial because discussions of sensitive or distressing issues can overwhelm clients, leading them to change subjects as a coping mechanism. In many therapeutic scenarios, clients may instinctively move away from subjects that provoke discomfort to create a sense of safety in the conversation. Furthermore, understanding that a client may shift topics to avoid confronting challenging emotions or issues underscores an important aspect of the therapeutic relationship. Avoidance can be a natural response to overwhelming feelings, and it is the role of the social worker to gently guide clients back to important discussions when appropriate and provide support in navigating these complexities. While the idea that the client is exploring new interests is a possibility, it does not encompass the deeper implications of a sudden topic change related to emotional avoidance or anxiety. Therefore, considering both the anxiety triggers and the avoidance of difficult subject matter provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the client’s behavior in that moment.