Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

When a social worker begins an interview with a client by showing interest and understanding, and expressing a desire to help, this process is known as what?

1. Empathy building

2. Active listening

3. Sustainment

4. Client engagement

The correct answer is: Sustainment

The correct answer pertains to the concept of client engagement, which focuses on establishing a trusting and collaborative relationship between the social worker and the client. When a social worker demonstrates genuine interest and understanding, it encourages the client to open up, feel valued, and actively participate in the conversation. This initial phase is crucial for building rapport and ensuring that the client feels supported and understood. Client engagement is essential for effective practice, as it sets the tone for subsequent interactions and interventions. By expressing a desire to help, the social worker fosters an environment conducive to discussing sensitive issues, which can lead to better outcomes in the therapeutic process. While empathy building and active listening are also important skills used throughout the interview process, they represent specific components of how a social worker engages with clients. Empathy involves connecting with clients on an emotional level, while active listening requires fully concentrating on what the client is saying. Sustainment, on the other hand, does not align with the foundational relationship-building process initiated at the start of the engagement.