ASWB Clinical Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The primary goal upon intake when a client expresses self-harming feelings is to ensure their immediate safety and well-being. Conducting a safety assessment is critical because it allows the social worker to evaluate the client's level of risk for self-harm and to identify any urgent interventions that may be necessary. This assessment may include direct questions about suicidal thoughts, plans, or previous self-harming behaviors.

By prioritizing safety, the social worker can better understand the severity of the situation and take appropriate actions, such as creating a safety plan or providing referrals for immediate support or crisis intervention if needed. This procedure aligns with the ethical responsibility of social workers to protect clients from harm.

While acknowledging the client's feelings and concerns is important and can help build rapport, it does not address the immediate risk their self-harming feelings pose. Referring to a psychiatrist for evaluation or determining the reasons for their feelings can be beneficial in the longer term but should follow a thorough safety assessment to ensure the client is not in immediate danger. Thus, the focus on conducting a safety assessment underscores the critical importance of immediate risk management in situations involving self-harm.