The Social Worker Counselor

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that there is a delicate and complex balance between the social worker's power and the right to self-determination of the client. The paper then discusses and examines this power imbalance and looks at how such power imbalance between the social work and client implies certain responsibilities on the part of the social worker. The paper also demonstrates that the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Ethical Standard 1.02, i.e. Self Determination, implies that the social worker has some responsibility to empower the client so that the client is able to achieve self-determination. In addition, this essay also discusses a situation in which the social worker may be relatively powerless, as well as situations in which it might be prudent for the social worker to restrict the client's right to self-determination.

From the Paper:

"For example, the social worker should not try to dissuade a woman from becoming involved with a particular man on the basis that the social worker believes this man is not a good influence and should not be around the woman's children. In particular, if the social worker implies to the client that the social worker will withhold certain benefits from her if she does become involved with this man, this would constitute abuse of the social worker's power over the vulnerable client."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hostetter, Carol, and Van Voorhis, Rebecca Morrison. "The Impact of MSW Education on Social Worker Empowerment and Commitment to Client Empowerment through Social Justice Advocacy." Journal of Social Work Education, 42 (2006): 105+.
• Mattison, Marian. "Ethical Decision Making Meets the Real World of Field Work." The New Social Worker, 10.2. (Spring 2003). Retrieved from http://www.socialworker.com/ethicaldecision.htm
• National Association of Social Workers. "Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers." 1996. Retrieved from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

More papers on The Social Worker Counselor:

• Analytical Essay # 133440 : "A Social Worker As Counselor"
• Research Paper # 100689 : "Social Workers and Abused Children"
• Case Study # 97417 : "Domestic Violence and Social Work"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: