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Apr 3, 2024
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All social workers experience counterproductive communication patterns (Chapter 7). The orienting frameworks in Chapter 2 illuminate additional barriers to communication. For example, how do problem-saturated narratives (strengths perspective), fear of talking about cultural and sociopolitical differences (cultural humility), unequal distribution of power (anti-oppressive practice), ignoring trauma (trauma-informed perspective), and invoking professional authority without evidence (evidence-informed practice) create barriers to communication? Select one of the orienting frameworks and discuss counterproductive communications patterns within that orienting framework.
Be sure to review the Discussion Forum Instructions and Rubric prior to submitting the assignment.
Initial postings are due Tuesday evening by 11:55 pm; responses to two classmates' posts are due Thursday at 11:55 pm.
Trauma informed social work is an important perspective in social work. Upwards to 90% of clients deal with some type of trauma. (Hepworth, 2022 p. 28) When working from this perspective clients need to feel safe and that they are talking to someone safely about their trauma. Creating a judgement-free and safe zone for clients is necessary when dealing with their trauma as a lot of people just do not like to bring it up let alone to someone they barely know. Counterproductive communication can definitely happened when following this approach.
One of the main counterproductive communications is nonverbal barriers, they influence interactions between people such as the social worker and client. (Hepworth, 2022 p. 127) These communication skills are very important for making clients feel comfortable talking about their trauma. For example, facial expressions, the social worker must mind what expressions they are making so that their client feels comfortable, such as knowing when to smile and when to make a
concerned face. These expressions navigate how comfortable the client will feel. Making eye contact and with the client allows them to feel like they have your undivided attention and that you are listening and understanding where they are coming from. Clients can feel disrespect and not want to open because they already feel as if this is unnecessary. Another barrier is verbal communication barriers, these are barriers that you must constantly remind yourself of as you are
speaking with a client.(Hepworth, 2022 p.130) While you of course want to help your client and remind them that these things are not their faults it is also hard to find the balance, people may think you’re not seriously listening and acknowledging their trauma if all responses are mediocre. Clients that feel like they are being judged by their social worker is another, saying things that place blame or criticizes their action makes them feel targeted, especially when dealing with trauma. Giving honest feedback is important but wording is crucial, making sure that clients are feeling heard, while also offering advice in a manner that is respectful is hard but reviewing counterproductive communication barriers allows you to get a better idea of how to communicate with clients.
Hepworth, D. H., Vang, P. D., Blakey, J. M., Schwalbe, C., & Evans, C. (2022, January 1). Empowerment Series: Direct Social Work Practice (MindTap Course List)
(11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
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