The transference and the countertransference in psychodynamic approach will assist the social worker into understanding Shaun’s past experiences of abuse as a child and how this has transferred into their present behavioral pattern of history of self-harming, anger, substance misuse, violence, and mental health issues. As social workers, we need to reflect on how Shaun reacts to us. This will help us to understand shaunShaun and enable us to go through a therapeutic process with him.
It is therefore crucial for social workers to build a relationship with Shaun to model effective thinking and self-control in order to be able to gain influences and confidence to investigate psychological issues. It is important for social workers to understand that conflict does exist, and that no service user will display challenging behaviour without a reason. Investigating that reason can assist social workers in carrying out and assessing service users’ circumstances, needs and services they require.