Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

The best initial action for the social worker in this situation is to remind the client that her hospitalization is not voluntary. This approach is essential because it helps the client understand the seriousness of her condition and the rationale behind her involuntary commitment. It emphasizes that the hospital setting is meant to provide her with necessary care and support to manage her anorexia nervosa, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. By reinforcing the nature of her commitment, the social worker can help the client recognize that these measures are in place to protect her health and wellbeing. This kind of reinforcement can also lead to a more open dialogue about her feelings towards hospitalization and recovery, providing an opportunity to explore her resistance and potentially engage her in her treatment plan more effectively. Once the client acknowledges her current situation, the social worker can move forward with other appropriate interventions, such as discussing treatment options, addressing her refusal of food within the context of therapy, or involving a multidisciplinary team for a more comprehensive approach to her care.