Effective Communication is an Essential Skill to Have

As a professional social worker, the main goal is to help a client in a positive and respectful manner. Unfortunately, client experiences and behaviors can make this task seem extremely difficult. It is important to find yourself before trying to help someone else. Therapy is essentially attempting to make something better, and our personal values determine what is valuable in therapy. Also, thinking

Social workers must strive “for a full understanding of the complex interactions between the client and all levels of the social and physical system as well as meaning that the client assigns to each of these interactions” (Andreae, 1996, p. 605).

There are many different personal relationships that we have within our lives and we act differently to each of those it may be from a family relationship or a work friendship. It is the same with our working relationship with the individuals that we meet, some over step boundaries and turn into friendships. In a working relationship you are in a relationship with someone because it is your job, where as a family or friend relationship is built upon a different reason. In our job we may also have relations between other professionals or

We advocate for everyone to have the opportunity to reach their full potential in life. Social workers uphold dignity and worth of the Person by treating people with respect no matter their differences or circumstances. We also support and empower self-determination so the clients are able to meet their own needs. Social workers understand and stress the importance of human relationships by strengthening relationships and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (NASW Code of Ethics). Integrity is behaving in a trustworthy manner by being honest, responsible, and upholding the social work profession mission, values, and ethical principles/standards. This is something we must be able to uphold in both our profession and personal lives. Lastly, social workers must be competent in the profession in order to be effective. Social workers should continually seek professional development to increase their knowledge and skills. Since change is inevitable, professional development should be an ongoing practice for social

The social work profession’s Standards of Practice outlines the boundaries in the relationship between social workers and their clients and sets a mandate of their responsibilities as a social worker (Alberta College of Social Workers, 2013, p. 30). In the Code of Ethics, boundaries are also set at a high standard as we must draw metaphysical lines between personal roles or interests and professional (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2005, p. 7) to prevent forming a dual relationship with clients. Another boundary is to halt the possibility of the social worker from using the time they have to help themselves rather than helping their clients (CASW, 2005, p. 6). In addition to these boundaries, it is crucial for social workers to not share too much of their personal life with clients by placing mental boundaries of how much they feel they can share of their personal life with their clients.

Relationships are important within a social care setting as residents need to feel that are in an environment where they are able to communicate confidence to any member of staff. Communications between all staff are equally important due to changes to the needs of certain residents in relations to

Two NASW ethics that exemplify what a social worker entails includes dignity and worth of a person and the importance of human relationships. These two ethics intertwine because social work is heavily influenced with individual relationships with clients. Dignity is when every individual feel valued for their time and efforts. Showing dignity and worth to a client bridges a trusting relationship with the social worker. Every client that is seen should feel that they feel important and their problems are significant. Knowing that dignity is met, usually creates a bond between the client and the social worker. Human relationships are the bond between two people that share a conversation or experience. Connecting to clients bridges a trusting relationship between the social worker and the client. Every relationship that is created whether between friends, family members or strangers can have a positive or negative impact on everyone. When the experience is positive, the impact is well-meaning because that individual feels that the working relationships is worth the time with the social

The NASW Code of Ethics (2008), states that “Social workers should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with clients or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client” (standard 1.06[c]). The code also address undue influences, a social worker for any reason should not take advantage of a client for his/ her own personal gain or exploit them upon their own personal beliefs(standard 1.06[b]). To avoid dual relationships and exploration of a client or colleague, the social worker need to set clear boundaries with the clients and colleagues.

Social workers need to turn themselves and the client in order to provide effective treatment. This is similar to therapeutic alliance, a social worker must be well rounded. If a social worker is completely professional the client may feel inferior and hold back their emotions and actions. We need to tune into ourselves and the client to make sure that we are both being direct in our communication, and to get in touch with feelings the client may have (Shulman, 2012, p. 72).

By speaking of this relationship, Richmond was able to emphasize her view of social workers as teachers. “In this view, ideal social work practice implies not only the development of the mind and the communication of essential skills, but also the gaining of access to the client's inner life to assist in "the unfolding of the personality" by social methods (Richmond, 1922)” (Murdach, 2011). To me this research, showed that you need to build a relationship with the client you work with as an individual before you could help them or build any relationship with

Social workers should be aware of potential or existing conflicts of interest, should not engage in dual relationships with clients or former clients, nor take advantage of professional relationships for personal gains. Under no circumstances should a social worker engage in sexual relations or physical contact with clients or client’s relatives even if it is consensual. Services should not be provided to an individual who has had previous sexual relations with the professionals. Social workers should not make “sexual

Equalize the power relationship between you as the professional worker and the client as the vulnerable individual so that you both become persons in the eyes of the other.

In addition, in order to have a healthy professional or non-professional relationship you build trust and confidence with each other. All client’s voluntary or involuntary are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity and to have their choices facilitated (Dean H. Hepworth, 2010, p. 27). A bond of trust must exist before people are willing to risk that difficult human experience of change (Bradford W. Sheafor, 2008, p. 35). Thus, the most fundamental tool of the trade is the use of a professional relationship to help people become open to the possibility of change and actively engaged in the change process (Bradford W. Sheafor, 2008, p. 35).

Looking back at my own experiences with working with the community and organizations, I have seen how important it is to have human relationships. Working as an Activity Assistant in a nursing home and a Navy Ombudsman provided many opportunities to see how relationships can be successful with working with others and creating bonds not only with individual, community

The social work profession consists of the six core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These core values are portrayed within the roles of this profession by assessing and evaluating client’s needs, advocating for improving community resources, managing crisis situations, providing therapeutic support, and referring client’s to beneficial services. As well as, developing a dual client relationship to strengthen the helping process and treating each client ethically. Social workers are constantly progressing their professional expertise. They do this