Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Practice Exam

The correct answer is that partializing action steps so clients can make incremental progress toward change is not a method specifically aimed at addressing resistance during engagement. Instead, this technique is generally used in the broader context of treatment planning and goal setting. By breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, clients can gain confidence and clarity about the process, which may indirectly reduce resistance once the engagement has established a working relationship and trust.

The first three methods mentioned—clarifying what will occur in treatment, instilling hope that change is possible, and explaining the limits of confidentiality—are all critical strategies for directly addressing client resistance during the engagement phase. Clarifying treatment processes can help alleviate anxiety and uncertainty, instilling hope motivates clients to participate actively, and explaining confidentiality helps build trust, inhibiting resistance. Each of these methods seeks to foster an open, trusting environment conducive to engagement in the therapeutic process.