My career journal is filled with scraps of paper, my dreams, countless questions, and thoughts; all of which bring a flood of memories with one powerful statement, which is “I wish someone would have told me this.” So, I’ll be the one telling you.

Would I do this for another client? Is this fair? If not, why not? What is the different about this client? Why do it for this client and not others? Is this fair? If not, why not? How is it unfair? If it is unfair, why is it even being considered?

Would I be comfortable with others such as my supervisor, my family, my peers, my clients family, the licensure board, a plaintiff attorney knowing about it (If not why not? Why the discomfort? Why wouldn’t you want ALL these people to know about it? Why the need for secrecy? Aren’t you proud of your work? Why would the licensure people have concern about this?)

Does doing this deprive others of needed resources such as my time or commitment?  (Does this deprive others of needed resources such as your time or equality or commitment? It does? Why? How do you justify that? Can you justify that? Is neglecting your other clients justified? How can neglect every be justified?)

Advice from a clinical supervisor Stay flexible- as you get to know your clients and what makes them tick, be careful not to “pigeonhole” them based on information about their culture, religion, family background, spirituality, socioeconomic status, etc. Avoid stereotypes. Be open minded. This allows the social worker to work with a wide variety or range of clients. Clients often feel, “if the social worker accepts me, then I must be okay.”