The Client-

Worker
Relationship
RELATIONSHIP: the emotional interaction
between people – the emotional bond.

 “Relationships never end, they just

change.”

 “Relationships are always in the process of

change.”
How might we describe our
relationships?
 Casual Close
 Uncomfortable Good
 Bad Distant

 All
are based on our feelings and our
emotional investment with another
person.
Why is a “good” relationship
important to you in Social Work?
 Provides“safe environment” for client to
share feelings, problems, etc.

 Providesan atmosphere of trust and

respect = good environment for change.

 Establishes
environment that is non-
threatening and non-judgmental.
Please define:
 Empathy

 Warmth

 Genuineness
Personality
 Clients indicated the following as the top
four personality characteristics important to
them in a social worker.

 UNDERSTANDING
 SYMPATHETIC (EMPATHIC)
 PLEASANT
 ABILITY TO PUT ONE AT EASE
Personality
 Other important characteristics are:
 Warmth
 Acceptance
 Interest in Client
Components of a Positive
Relationship
 Thekind of relationship we have with
someone is based on our feelings and our
emotional investment with the other
person.
Components of a Positive
Relationship
 “A positive relationship is not as good as a
negative relationship is bad.”

 Qualities of a positive relationship?

 Responsive, polite, considerate, friendly,
respectful, honest…
 Qualities of a negative relationship?
 Impersonal, inconsiderate, unfriendly, belittling,
condescending, critical, rejecting…
Components of a Positive
Client-Worker Relationship
 Positive
Client-Worker relationships are
characterized by:

 1.Allowing the client the right of self-

determination.
 Work WITH the client
 Show confidence in client
 Believe in the client
Components of a Positive
Client-Worker Relationship
 2. Genuine interest in the client
 Listening
 Reflecting feelings
 Warmth
 Respect
 Trust
Components of a Positive
Client-Worker Relationship
 3. Respond to the client as a unique
individual
 Do not stereotype

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qVPNONdF58&ob
=av2e
Components of a Positive
Client-Worker Relationship
 Acceptance
 Non-judgmental attitude
 Compassionate
 Gentle
Components of a Positive
Client-Worker Relationship
 Empathic understanding
 Social worker feels with the client – “the
conscious awareness of another’s feelings”
Components of a Positive
Client-Worker Relationship
 Genuineness and Authenticity
 Be real
 Be human
 Be honest
Components of a Positive
Client-Worker Relationship
 Confidentiality
 Social Work Code of Ethics
 “Respect the privacy of clients and hold in
confidence all information obtained in the
course of professional service.”
Why have a good/positive
working relationship with your
clients?
 Itwill better faciliate the purpose of the
interview

 It will facilitate effective interviewing

 It is not about “being liked”

 As a social worker, you will be working with
serious social problems and people who are
severly mentally ill, child abusers, domestic
abusers, rapists, criminals, chronic substance
abusers, etc. These people may be viewed
as manipulative, overly demanding, hostile,
resistant, or overly dependent.

 Since it is not possible to truly like everyone, it

is our behaviors rather than our attitudes and
feelings that become crucial. We will not
condone unhealthy or abusive behaviors, but
we must accept the person and her/his right
to receive services.

 Your goal as a professional social worker is to

be responsible to basic human rights by
employing genuineness and compassion in
your efforts to understand others…you must
strive not to be “phony”.
Preparatory Empathy