Ada is very upset over the divorce settlement. She got the house and the children, but very meager support and only a small amount to go to school to upgrade her skills. As she speaks with the worker, she is crying and expresses the belief that she cannot make it. The worker replies, “Look, get another lawyer. You’re going to have to just face the fact that you had a lawyer who wasn’t serving you. Go back to court! Reopen the case! Make a stink!” Will Ada be able to talk about her divorce with this worker?

Enhanced Blocked

Above are various scenarios illustrating workers’ responses in a variety of situations. Examine the responses in each case and decide whether the worker is blocking communication or enhancing it. Do the worker’s responses cut off further communication from the other person or seem to encourage the person to continue? Circle your answer after each vignette.