,BSW3701 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) semester 1 2025 DUE 9
May 2025;100% CORRECT AND TRUSTED SOLUTIONS
Case Study
Faith (a pseudonym) is 35 years old and has recently undergone significant life
changes. She has faced a divorce, after 12 years of marriage (husband is 40), lost
her job because the company is downsizing, and is grappling with feelings of
loneliness and depression. These changes also impact her two children, aged 8
(son) and 10 (daughter). The maternal grandparents have passed away. The father
is employed, but he is not contributing financially to meeting the needs of the
children. The dynamics within the family have changed profoundly, resulting in
heightened stress for Faith and her children.
Questions
1. How will you use empathy to build respect and trust in a helping relationship
with Faith? [2]
To build respect and trust in a helping relationship with Faith, empathy
must be employed both emotionally and practically, allowing her to feel
genuinely heard, seen, and supported.
1. Demonstrating Empathic Understanding (Affective and Cognitive
Empathy)
I would actively listen to Faith’s story without judgment, acknowledging
the complexity of her emotions—her grief over the divorce, anxiety
from job loss, and exhaustion from single parenting. I would reflect back
not only what she says but also what she feels, e.g.:
“It sounds like you’ve been carrying so much on your own, and it must
feel overwhelming to try and be strong for your children while you’re
still trying to heal.”
, This reflection shows her that her pain is recognised, not dismissed, and
that she is not alone in her struggle. This type of empathy communicates
deep respect for her experience and builds emotional trust.
2. Creating a Safe and Non-Judgmental Environment
By using open body language, maintaining appropriate eye contact, and
speaking gently, I would create a space where Faith feels emotionally
safe. I would validate her feelings, such as saying:
“It’s completely okay to feel lost or unsure right now—anyone in your
shoes would.”
This validation respects her emotional reality, building trust by showing
that she does not need to mask or justify her struggles.
Through this consistent, compassionate approach, Faith will come to see
the helping relationship as a dependable source of support, allowing trust
and mutual respect to grow authentically over time.
2. Which (any five) different types of listening can you implement to ensure
that you actively pay attention to Faith’s situation during the helping
process?
Provide practical examples of how each type of listening will be used. [5]
To ensure active attention to Faith’s situation and establish a meaningful
helping process, I would use a combination of five types of listening,
each serving a unique function in supporting her emotional, mental, and
practical needs. These are: active listening, reflective listening,
empathetic listening, critical listening, and appreciative listening.
1. Active Listening
May 2025;100% CORRECT AND TRUSTED SOLUTIONS
Case Study
Faith (a pseudonym) is 35 years old and has recently undergone significant life
changes. She has faced a divorce, after 12 years of marriage (husband is 40), lost
her job because the company is downsizing, and is grappling with feelings of
loneliness and depression. These changes also impact her two children, aged 8
(son) and 10 (daughter). The maternal grandparents have passed away. The father
is employed, but he is not contributing financially to meeting the needs of the
children. The dynamics within the family have changed profoundly, resulting in
heightened stress for Faith and her children.
Questions
1. How will you use empathy to build respect and trust in a helping relationship
with Faith? [2]
To build respect and trust in a helping relationship with Faith, empathy
must be employed both emotionally and practically, allowing her to feel
genuinely heard, seen, and supported.
1. Demonstrating Empathic Understanding (Affective and Cognitive
Empathy)
I would actively listen to Faith’s story without judgment, acknowledging
the complexity of her emotions—her grief over the divorce, anxiety
from job loss, and exhaustion from single parenting. I would reflect back
not only what she says but also what she feels, e.g.:
“It sounds like you’ve been carrying so much on your own, and it must
feel overwhelming to try and be strong for your children while you’re
still trying to heal.”
, This reflection shows her that her pain is recognised, not dismissed, and
that she is not alone in her struggle. This type of empathy communicates
deep respect for her experience and builds emotional trust.
2. Creating a Safe and Non-Judgmental Environment
By using open body language, maintaining appropriate eye contact, and
speaking gently, I would create a space where Faith feels emotionally
safe. I would validate her feelings, such as saying:
“It’s completely okay to feel lost or unsure right now—anyone in your
shoes would.”
This validation respects her emotional reality, building trust by showing
that she does not need to mask or justify her struggles.
Through this consistent, compassionate approach, Faith will come to see
the helping relationship as a dependable source of support, allowing trust
and mutual respect to grow authentically over time.
2. Which (any five) different types of listening can you implement to ensure
that you actively pay attention to Faith’s situation during the helping
process?
Provide practical examples of how each type of listening will be used. [5]
To ensure active attention to Faith’s situation and establish a meaningful
helping process, I would use a combination of five types of listening,
each serving a unique function in supporting her emotional, mental, and
practical needs. These are: active listening, reflective listening,
empathetic listening, critical listening, and appreciative listening.
1. Active Listening
