Using the NASW Ethical Decision-Making Framework, read the following Ethical Dilemma vignette and answer the questions below.
A new client arrives at your internship site for their first appointment with you. You are the only person available to see this client at your site due to the other social workers having maxed out case loads. As you begin the intake process with your client, you notice they seem to only provide short, one word answers, even when asked open-ended questions. After a few minutes of this, you decide to change tactics and try to build rapport by asking the client about their weekend plans. As the client begins to share about their weekend, you realize the client has a mutual friend with you and plans to attend a function you will also be attending.
How would you handle this situation?
What resources could you utilize to help you figure out next steps?
What other engagement strategies might have helped in this situation?
