LMSW Practice Test

In dealing with a client's guilt, the worker should

1. accept and understand the client's guilt, allowing him or her to ventilate

2. always relieve the client's guilt

3. help the client see that guilt is very unhealthy and find ways to rid the client of guilt

4. help the client see what he or she has done

The correct answer is: accept and understand the client's guilt, allowing him or her to ventilate

Accepting and understanding a client's guilt is essential for several reasons. Guilt can be a complex emotion that arises from personal values, beliefs, and relationships. By creating a safe space for the client to ventilate their feelings, the worker provides an opportunity for the client to express and process their feelings, which can promote healing. This approach respects the client’s feelings and acknowledges their experiences, which can lead to greater self-awareness and the ability to work through those feelings constructively. Furthermore, accepting guilt does not mean encouraging it but rather understanding its origins and fostering a dialogue that allows the client to explore what this guilt means for them personally, helping them find a way to cope with or reconcile these feelings. The other responses do not foster the same level of understanding or emotional processing. Always relieving guilt may prevent the client from confronting and processing their feelings, potentially resulting in an incomplete resolution. Similarly, dismissing guilt as unhealthy could invalidate the client’s emotions, leading to further distress. Finally, while helping the client understand their actions is important, without first accepting their feelings of guilt, the process may become one-sided and not supportive of the client's emotional needs.