After acknowledging each family member's distress in a session, what should a social worker do next in the intervention phase?

In the intervention phase of working with families, it is essential to establish clear expectations for the intervention process. Clarifying the parents' expectations helps to create a mutual understanding of the goals and desired outcomes of the intervention. This step ensures that all family members are on the same page and contributes to building trust and collaboration within the family.

Additionally, when parents articulate their expectations, it becomes easier for the social worker to tailor the intervention strategies to meet their needs and align efforts with their objectives. This clarity also sets a foundation for effective communication going forward, which can ease any anxiety family members may have about the process and encourage more active participation.

Building on this clarity allows for more effective facilitation of open communication among family members, exploration of individual perspectives, or discussion of solutions later on in the intervention. Thus, starting with a clear understanding of expectations paves the way for a more focused and productive engagement with the family.