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Chapter 4: Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice

Social Work In CanadaCopyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

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An Introduction Third Edition

Chapter 4: Theory and Approaches to Social Work Practice

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Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice

What Is a Social Work Theory? Specific Theories of Social Work Psychologically Based Theories Toward a Personal Approach to Social Work

Practice

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Using Knowledge To Shape Work with Clients

A Social Work Theory is an organized way of thinking about the world that guides the way we carry out social work practice

Traditionally social workers have been influenced by the medical model

Modern social work theory has shifted towards assessment and intervention

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What Is a Social Work Theory?

In social work, theories are rooted in two knowledge bases:

Foundation Theories:Organized ideas about the world that provide the basis for practice theories

Practice Theories:Build on foundation knowledge, making it specific and relevant to the way we practice social work

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Social work practice theories can be classified into two groups:

Individual-level: Varied and complex Emphasize the individual

and their interactions Focus is on what people

do

Structural-level: Emphasize social structures,

processes and systems Focus is on social structures

and policies that influence what people do

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Specific Theories of Social Work

Functional Theory Introduced in the 1930s by Jessie Taft and Virginia

Robinson Based on work by Otto Rank Problems come from negative experience Problems can be overcome using personal power to

effect change Emphasized the client’s role in directing change

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Strengths-Based Social Work Introduced by University of Kansas social work

professor Dennis Saleebey Each person has unique strengths and abilities and a

capacity of growth and change Social worker supports client to recognize his or her

assets Together, the worker and client collaborate to

understand and resolve the situation

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Social Systems Theory Places individual within a series of interdependent

systems, like an ecosystem Social work professors Carel Germain and Alex

Gitterman used ideas from biology and ecology to develop “life-model”

People exist in particular environments Problems arise when there is a lack of “fit” between

people and their surroundings

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The Structural Approach Canadian development Originates from the work of Maurice Moreau Focuses on the impact of wider social structures on

personal problems Involves a critical analysis of socio-economic

structures, which oppress and exploit people Social worker must be skilled in casework, family

counselling, group work, and community organizing

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Critical Social Work Focuses on the impact of social structure on personal

problems Must contribute to a transformation of everyday lives It critiques or unravels the societal relations

underpinning our personal problems Introduced the notion of empowerment

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Feminist Social Work Practice Women-centred approach that strives to understand

particular experiences of oppression in relationships and broader society

Mutual support, valuing diversity, and an emphasis on women’s lived experiences guide work with clients

Origins in the women’s liberation movement of the 1960s

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Anti-Oppressive Practice Bob Mullaly defines oppression as “the domination of

subordinate groups in society by a powerful group.” Oppressive relationships exist at structural and

individual levels Acknowledges the existence of oppression and the

complex nature of our identities Not a single theory but draws on many traditions

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Anti-Oppressive Practice – Common Ideas Both macro- and micro-level relations generate

oppression Everyday experience is shaped by multiple oppressions Social work is a contested site Social work is not a neutral, technical profession, but

an active political process Social work needs to build allies and work with social

causes

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Anti-Oppressive Practice – Common Ideas Participatory approaches between practitioners and

clients are necessary Self-reflexive practice and ongoing social analysis are

essential components of social justice-oriented social work practice

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Anti-Racist Social Work Focuses specifically on how racism affects the lives of

people of color Examines effects of racism by means of an economic

and social analysis of relations between members of different groups

Helps us to understand the individual effects of racism and the broader, structural effects

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Psychologically Based Theories

The Medical Model An approach that mirrored a medical approach to

problems Involved in-depth study of a person’s situation in order

to improve his or her condition Most social workers located the cause of social

problems within the person Taught person how to lead a more “moral,” ordered

life

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Psychodynamic Perspectives Introduced by Freud in 1920s Norms and values of a society put limits on how people

fulfill their own needs The id, the ego, and the superego work to fulfill these

needs, but only in ways that are acceptable to society This creates constant conflict between human desire and

the limits set by society Conflict leads to anxiety and irrational behaviour Person’s troubles are understood as result of internal

pathology

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Existentialist Approach Based on 19th century philosophy of existentialism or

the search for the meaning of life Life is essentially meaningless and without purpose Human beings create meaning and purpose People are intentional and deliberate in their choices

to act People are capable of controlling and changing their

lives

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Existentialist Approach Gestalt therapy is an example of an existentialist

approach Human beings are defined by their relationships to

others Relationships influence the way we understand and

move through the world Support client to develop self-awareness and assume

personal responsibility in order to reach self-actualization

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Client-Centred or Person-Centred Perspectives Based on the idea that clients are experts of their own

problems Introduced by Carl Rogers in the 1950s Rogers was greatly influenced by humanism All human beings are good, worthwhile, and guided by

a search for meaning and purpose in life Provide unconditional positive regard for client

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Rational-Emotive Psychotherapy Earliest form of a cognitive behaviour approach Introduced by psychologist Albert Ellis in mid-1950s Blended ideas from cognition and behaviourism Client is active in the process of identifying problems

and working on ways of changing Help a client to see that negative emotions

experienced are due to flawed perceptions of reality

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Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy Shorter term approach Behaviours are learned and shaped by our

interpretations of the world Therapists work with clients to understand the thought

patterns that bring about certain behaviours Focus is on problem-solving and promoting more

accurate ways of understanding the world

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Task-Centred Model Developed in the 1980s A short-term therapy with a measurable outcome Social workers assess and clarify the target problem

and desired outcome, then create a list of tasks that must be completed to resolve the problem

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Toward a Personal Approach to Social Work Practice

What works for you?

Integrative approach Eclectic approach Dialectical approach

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Integrative approach Select concepts and methods from various sources and

theories Build a unified system that fits you and is appropriate

for the setting in which you work Draw theories together that are compatible

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Eclectic approach Involves selecting concepts and methods Does not unify or integrate the pieces Selects various concepts and methods as deemed

appropriate Extremely flexible

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Dialectical approach Involves a synthesis or combination of opposing

assertions within theories Takes a balanced or middle-of-the-road approach Incorporates concepts from differing approaches Enables the drawing together of theories that may

contain opposing assertions Oppositions are held in awareness and balanced

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Questions for Discussion

What kinds of linkages do you see between the development of theories guiding social work and the development of social work as a profession?

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Discuss important factors that would shape the ways in which you choose theories that guide your social work practice.

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In what ways might you share your theoretical perspectives with your clients?

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Choose one theory discussed in this chapter. Can you identify a group who would benefit from looking at a social issue using this theoretical lens?

Who might be disadvantaged using this lens?

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Social work theories draw on foundation knowledge from multiple disciplines.

What are some ways that social work norms and values can inform models in other disciplines?

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Websites

Association for the Development of the Person-Centered Approachwww.adpca.org

Critical Social Workwww.criticalsocialwork.com

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