Chapter 3 Social Work Theories and Practice Models PDF

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Conventional and Progressive Approaches (Chapter 3) Social work is a multi-faceted, unique, and specialized profession. The scope of the practice is wide, and although many of the theories encompass elements of psychology, sociology, community development, and socio- political change, social work theories understand individual and social problems from a multifactorial perspective. Social Work Theory and Social Work Practice Social work theory like any other theory, is a set of ideas that attempts to explain and make predictions about a particular issue or phenomenon. A theory that tries to capture the essence of a phenomenon or problem. In western social work, it is helpful to distinguish between two broad categories of theory: Foundational theories/ perspectives: these theories comprise general explanations about the underlying make up and workings of our society. They can focus on personality and behaviour, people in society, or social, political, and economic relationships. They draw from foundational disciplines such as psychology, sociology, economics, political science, and allied health professionals. Practice Theories/ models: these models are built on foundational theories, but they are specific to how social work is practiced in real- world context. While they are based on foundational theories (e.g. human development theory) practice theories or models focus on factors that are important for practitioners in assessing a client’s situation and working with a client to determine the most effective intervention. The Integration of Theory and Practice Social work is an applied professional field. Its theory informs action (practice), provide a framework for the main tasks of social work (assessment, planning, intervention, and follow-up) The revers is also true. Theoretical knowledge is developed and enhanced through hands- on practice- that is, through social work research, interaction, and dialogue. Theoretical Knowledge, Professional Judgement, and Creativity in Social Work A social workers day- to-day interventions with clients will always be influenced, to some extent, by his or her theoretical preferences. A practitioner might use an individual-level approach when counselling a child who has been sexually abused or when working one-on-one with an individual with a substance use disorder.

Selected Foundational Theories/ Perspectives in Social Work Conventional Approaches Progressive Approaches Ecological Structural Cognitive Critical Systems Anti-oppressive

Ecological, Cognitive, and Systems Perspectives Ecological Theory- places the individual within a series of interdependent relationships. This theory is based on the concepts of an ecosystem in nature in which every organism is affected by and influences other organisms within the system. It is a reaction to approaches that locate the cause of problems solely within the individual or solely within the structures of the wider society. Cognitive Theory- it underlines a rage of potentially effective intervention strategies, e.g. psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT, and mindfulness, which have roots in the psychodynamic perspective most often identified with Sigmund Freud’s work of the 1920’s. the goals of social work are to: 1. Understand the cognitive roots of anxiety to determine what is fuelling a person’s irrational or troubling behaviour. 2. Use specific techniques such as “talk therapy” to expose the source of the problem. 3. Use the insights to resolve the issue, which can then help people manage their anxieties and develop more effective coping behaviours. System Theory – focuses more on the working of wider social systems or structures, such as family, community, school, place of worship, workplace, and so on.  Macrosystem- attitudes and ideologies of the culture.  Exosystem- (friends of family, neighbours, mass media, social welfare services, legal services)  Mesosystem- parent- teacher conference  Microsystem- (family, community centre, health services, places of worship, peers)  The Individual- (gender, age, health status)

Structural, Critical, and Anti- Oppressive Perspectives Structural Theory in Social Work- The skills involved in structural social work are similar to the ones used in ecological systems theory. They draw on the same sense of empathy, reflection, and belief in the basic goodness of people. Structural social work goes beyond an analysis of the immediate family and community and looks to the broader socio- economic factors that underline personal dilemmas, such as class, gender, age, and ethnicity.

Critical Theory- involves an analysis of socio-economic structures that oppress and exploit people. Whether these structures are based on class, race, age, gender, ability, education, or sexuality. Critical social work theory moves beyond understanding the interpretation to criticism of the structure of structures being studied and engagement in action for social transformation. Anti- oppressive theory- it’s not a single theory but rather a cluster of theories that share the goal of understanding and responding to oppressive social conditions and relationships. Feminist and anti- social work are two major types of anti-oppressive social work. 

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Feminist social work- feminist perspective in social emerged in the 1960s and 1970’s alongside a growing feminist movement. Feminist theories offer different ways of seeing, asking questions about, and understanding women’s lives and experiences, the nature of inequality between sexes, and gender relations in society. Anti-racist Social Work- it focuses on how racial prejudice and racial discrimination- as structural characteristics- affect the lives of people of colour. Racist attitudes sustain a system of exclusion and marginalization based on observable, physical human features, such as skin colour or hair texture.

The Generalist Intervention Model If first and foremost tailored to the needs of the. Client, taking into account how differences in the personal backgrounds of the worker and client may also affect treatment outcomes. Interventions are based on a careful assessment of the client’s situation (problems, needs, and strengths), planning, implementation, evaluation, of goal attainment, and termination and follow-up. Person in Environment This perspective aims first and foremost to enhance interactions between individuals and society, as well as to promote social justice and ensure equality of opportunities, access, and participation. The focus is on empowerment- the process of increasing the capacity of individuals or groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes. Empowerment is achieved by building on client resources, capabilities, strengths, and resiliency.

Using Practice Models in Social Work Today The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Practice Model Based on the idea that psychological, mental, and emotional distress or disorders are maintained by an individual’s cognitive factors. CBT differs from traditional psychoanalytical approaches, in which therapists seek the unconscious meaning underlying human behaviour. CBT is a frequently used psychotherapeutic intervention tool, and its effective in treating various conditions (including anxieties, stress, anger, and eating disorders) is generally supported by research evidence. Practitioners using cognitive behavioural strategies work with clients to understand the thought patterns that lead to certain behaviours, as well as factors that sustain these patterns or behaviours. CBT’s effectiveness in Treating Common Mental Health Disorders The basic steps in a CBT intervention are outlined below.  Identify critical behaviours  Determine whether such behaviours are excesses or deficits.  Evaluate behaviours for frequency, duration, and intensity.  Attempt to decrease the frequency, duration, and intensity. Of behaviours if there are excesses or attempting to increase such behaviours if there are deficits. CBT is a structured, goal- oriented treatment that emphasizes the “here and now” rather than the past. Clients learn skills and strategies to manage current symptoms and prevent relapses. CBT is used for group treatment of social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and major depressive disorder/ dysthymia. Mindfulness- Based Practice Mindfulness has become widespread as an intervention strategy, and it has well- researched applications in social work. With roots in Eastern Buddhist traditions, mindfulness has been effectively adapted as: 1. A treatment intervention 2. A mode of self- care 3. A way to enhance the client- worker helping relationship Mindfulness is being used in group settings in programs such as mindfulness – based stress reduction, the most widely used mindfulness intervention. MBSR has been sown to be effective in dealing with chronic pain, stress, caregiver stress, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, psoriasis, cancer, and suicidal behaviour.

Such interventions aim first of all to gain insight into how stress and distress are increased by automatic and habitual patterns and by cognitive reactivity to sensations, thoughts, and emotions. Secondly, they aim to reduce vulnerability to these mind states, eventually to lasting improvements in emotional well-being. The Solutions- Focused Practice Model The solutions- focused practice model aligns with social work values and goals, including a strength- based perspective, collaborative therapeutic relationships, client empowerment and resilience, and a systems perspective focusing on the content of individual behaviour. Is it based on the belief that people have the necessary inner resources to resolve their problems and contribute to their own growth and change. The key to this approach is encouraging people to visualize the goals they would like to achieve- how they would like their lives to be- and what is needed to make that happen, focusing on the present and the future rather than the past. Typically, they ask probing questions such as: Scaling questions: these types of questions invite clients to find ways to measure and track their own experiences in a non- threating way. Problem- free Talk: these types of questions invite clients to find ways to measure and track their own experiences in a non- threatening way. Exception- seeking questions: these types of questions are designed to encourage clients to identify times when the problem is less severe or absent and to maximize the frequency of such occasions. Narrative- Based Practice Models Narrative- based practice models view storytelling as an integral part of the way in which we communicate with one another and make sense of our experiences. Narrative approaches focus on the meaning that people can find and create in their life stories, as well as the extent to which people feel their lived experiences are represented within their own stories, as told by themselves or others. Underlying narrative therapy is a view that person’s beliefs, skills, principles, and knowledge can be the means to help them reclaim their lives in the face if problems. A narrative therapist aims to help clients to examine, evaluate, and change their relationship to a problem by acting as an “investigative reporter” who is not at the centre of the investigation butwho is nonetheless influential.

In general, narrative approaches suggests that a client’s challenges or concerns are not simply personal problems. Rather they are “external” to the client, rooted in their community, socioeconomic status, and political histories and context. Creative and Arts- Based Tools in Social Work Practice Creative Arts Therapy- the creative arts can often draw ideas from individuals that may not otherwise be able to put into words. In social work involves the use of visual art, music, dance, drama, and poetry to facilitate therapeutic goals with clients. Digital Therapy- people inherently need and want to communicate. Digital story telling is a way of social work practitioners to help clients tell their own story as a part of the healing process. Through websites, blogs, and social media, stories can be disseminated more widely and quickly then ever before. Play Therapy- play time can be an opportunity for adults to reach children on their own level. Play therapy is a specialized area of social work practice and a way to relate to clients, especially young clients, who may be unable to verbalize their feelings. Photovoice- a form of participatory action research involving photography and narrative, used by practitioners to empower communities so as to include the voices of individuals who otherwise may be marginalized....