Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

If a client suddenly shifts topics during an interview, what could this suggest?

1. The topic has become too anxiety provoking

2. The client is afraid of boring the worker

3. There may be an unconscious connection between topics

4. The client has schizophrenia

The correct answer is: The client is afraid of boring the worker

The most suitable interpretation of a client suddenly shifting topics during an interview is that the topic has become too anxiety provoking. This behavior often indicates a coping mechanism where the client may be attempting to manage their discomfort or anxiety regarding the subject being discussed. When faced with distressing topics, individuals may unconsciously divert the conversation to a more comfortable or neutral area as a means of escape from their unease. This sudden topic change can be a non-verbal signal that participants in the interview should pay close attention to, indicating the need for sensitivity to the client's emotional state. Rather than being a reaction to fear of boring the worker, it aligns more closely with the emotional responses that occur during challenging conversations. Understanding and identifying this shift can help the practitioner to gently explore the reasons behind the anxiety and work towards addressing the underlying issues in a supportive manner.