Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

In this scenario, after contracting for safety with the client, the next appropriate step is to carefully monitor the client's feelings and behavior in future sessions. This approach is crucial because it allows the social worker to maintain an ongoing assessment of the client's emotional state, especially following a significant relationship loss. Monitoring the client's feelings and behaviors can help identify any escalating distress or suicidal ideation, ensuring that the client receives the necessary support and intervention when needed. Building a therapeutic relationship through consistent monitoring fosters trust, enabling the client to feel safe and understood while navigating their difficult emotions. This option prioritizes the client's safety and emotional well-being in a sensitive manner, rather than taking more drastic actions that could disrupt the therapeutic process or invade the privacy of others involved. Such actions as contacting the ex-boyfriend’s wife or law enforcement may not only breach confidentiality but could also escalate the client's distress or impede her healing process. Consulting with a supervisor, while important, does not address the immediate need for ongoing care and reassurance in the therapeutic relationship.