Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Practice Exam

In situations where a former girlfriend seeks counseling after a significant amount of time apart, the appropriate ethical response for a social worker is to inform her that the social worker cannot treat her. This decision is rooted in the ethical guidelines that govern professional relationships in social work.

The social worker must maintain professional boundaries and avoid any conflicts of interest that might arise from personal relationships. Treating someone with whom there is a prior personal connection could compromise the objectivity needed for effective therapy and may also lead to issues of dual relationships, which can potentially harm the therapeutic process and the client. By recognizing this boundary, the social worker is upholding ethical standards that prioritize the well-being of the client and the integrity of the professional relationship.

The other options, while they suggest different approaches, do not align with the ethical obligations to avoid dual relationships and conflicts of interest. For instance, beginning treatment immediately overlooks the potential complications that personal history may introduce, while gathering more information without addressing the conflict of interest still leaves the social worker in an ethically precarious position. Finally, contacting the licensing board might not directly address the issue at hand, which is the clear conflict due to the prior relationship.