Emerging Framework of Practice
In developing my practice framework, I took into consideration my social work career experiences. This framework was informed by certain influences including my medical social work experience at the Oncology Department, personal values as a Christian, my understanding of human problems and its impact on individuals, families and society at large, and my future area of social work practice.
Framework of Practice
A Summary of my Framework of Practice
General Systems Theory
The general systems theory focuses on the “holistic nature of human functioning that is unique to social work practice” (Turner, 2011, p.242). As social workers, we are taught to recognize that all parts of any system are “interrelated, interconnected, and interdependent” (p.242). It is important to consider the influences of diverse systems and subsystems on clients functioning in any therapeutic encounter. To the systems theorist, the important role of social workers is to identify the interaction of various external factors on human functioning. The theory maintains that change can occur at different points in the system that may serve as means for changes in other areas.
Goal: The goal is to improve human functioning within systems and environments while embracing my social work core values of social justice. In my work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities, I seek to be part of the system by impacting on relationships and being impacted by others. I seek to facilitate change in the lives of people who are part of the larger system, thereby focusing on their mutual impact.
Rationale: Individuals are studied by their interaction with others and not merely their inherent personal characteristics. The System’s Theory provides Social Work practitioners an understanding of the complex functioning of individuals, groups, families, and organizations. The systems perspectives is in harmony with Social Work values and goals as it recognizes the relationship of the external factors on individuals’ functioning and offers the hope that changes can happen at various parts of the systems.
Client-centered Perspectives
The client-centered approach sees the client and the social worker as “collaborative partners rather than oppositional forces” (Oko, 2006, p.602). This approach focuses on clients’ strength and capabilities to make life decisions. Rogers emphasized the importance of “cultural values, the dynamic nature of the therapist-client interaction, the need for a client to have an active role in approaching problems and concerns, and the need for openness and honesty within the clinical relationship (cited in Law, Baptiste and Mills, 1995). The significance of the relationship between client and therapist reflects the contribution of client-centered approach to clinical practice.
Goal: The goal is to “release an already existing capacity for self-actualization in a potentially competent individual” (Turner, 2011, p.65). The therapeutic relationship is based on genuineness, congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathetic understanding.
Rationale: Expectation from significant others and society often prevent people from doing the things they are able to do. The individual’s self-concept is based on the nature of acceptance and respect he/she receives from others. The clients’ self-concept can be changed by the respect, empathy and authenticity they receive from the therapist (Turner, 2011).
Narrative Theory: “Knowledge is power and self-knowledge can empower people” (Turner, 2011, p. 317). My approach to social work practice is highly influenced by the ideas of two renowned postmodern therapists: Michael White and Harlene Adderson. I am particularly inspired by their books, Narrative means to therapeutic ends (White and Epson, 1990) and Collaborative therapy: Relationships and conversations that make a difference (Anderson and Gehart, 2007). I agree with White that people story their lives to make sense out of it and that life is multistoried. This concept of life allows therapists to view persons and their problems as not “fixed, fossilized, or under any one unitary description, theory, or label” (White and Epson, cited in Madigan, 2011, p.30). White’s narrative ideas afford clients and therapists the opportunity to revise, recollect, and remember stories from several and opposing views. Change is made possible through this interpersonal conversation.
Anderson’s collaborative therapy supports the narrative idea that puts clients at the center of the therapeutic process. For Anderson, language, conversation and relationship are central part of any therapy. The way we develop a relationship with another person influences the kind and quality of conversations that we can have with each other. Respecting and valuing clients is important in therapeutic relationships, which brings about a sense of belonging and participating. I see narrative therapy as the heart of emerging social work practice that I will use in my work as a therapist.
Goal: The goal of Narrative Therapy is to help clients to see the realities of their lives, which offer more alternatives. It also aims at helping clients towards self-empowerment. Such a goal seeks to be more creative than corrective and pursues reflective and elaborative stances than persuasive or instructive (Turner, 2011).
Rationale: People make meaning of their lives that can be interpreted in many ways. As therapist, it is my hope to help clients re-author their lives by helping them to see other truths about themselves and other possible interpretation of events. By asking reflective questions, I hope to invite clients to assess other realities which may be true/ not of themselves.
The general systems theory focuses on the “holistic nature of human functioning that is unique to social work practice” (Turner, 2011, p.242). As social workers, we are taught to recognize that all parts of any system are “interrelated, interconnected, and interdependent” (p.242). It is important to consider the influences of diverse systems and subsystems on clients functioning in any therapeutic encounter. To the systems theorist, the important role of social workers is to identify the interaction of various external factors on human functioning. The theory maintains that change can occur at different points in the system that may serve as means for changes in other areas.
Goal: The goal is to improve human functioning within systems and environments while embracing my social work core values of social justice. In my work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities, I seek to be part of the system by impacting on relationships and being impacted by others. I seek to facilitate change in the lives of people who are part of the larger system, thereby focusing on their mutual impact.
Rationale: Individuals are studied by their interaction with others and not merely their inherent personal characteristics. The System’s Theory provides Social Work practitioners an understanding of the complex functioning of individuals, groups, families, and organizations. The systems perspectives is in harmony with Social Work values and goals as it recognizes the relationship of the external factors on individuals’ functioning and offers the hope that changes can happen at various parts of the systems.
Client-centered Perspectives
The client-centered approach sees the client and the social worker as “collaborative partners rather than oppositional forces” (Oko, 2006, p.602). This approach focuses on clients’ strength and capabilities to make life decisions. Rogers emphasized the importance of “cultural values, the dynamic nature of the therapist-client interaction, the need for a client to have an active role in approaching problems and concerns, and the need for openness and honesty within the clinical relationship (cited in Law, Baptiste and Mills, 1995). The significance of the relationship between client and therapist reflects the contribution of client-centered approach to clinical practice.
Goal: The goal is to “release an already existing capacity for self-actualization in a potentially competent individual” (Turner, 2011, p.65). The therapeutic relationship is based on genuineness, congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathetic understanding.
Rationale: Expectation from significant others and society often prevent people from doing the things they are able to do. The individual’s self-concept is based on the nature of acceptance and respect he/she receives from others. The clients’ self-concept can be changed by the respect, empathy and authenticity they receive from the therapist (Turner, 2011).
Narrative Theory: “Knowledge is power and self-knowledge can empower people” (Turner, 2011, p. 317). My approach to social work practice is highly influenced by the ideas of two renowned postmodern therapists: Michael White and Harlene Adderson. I am particularly inspired by their books, Narrative means to therapeutic ends (White and Epson, 1990) and Collaborative therapy: Relationships and conversations that make a difference (Anderson and Gehart, 2007). I agree with White that people story their lives to make sense out of it and that life is multistoried. This concept of life allows therapists to view persons and their problems as not “fixed, fossilized, or under any one unitary description, theory, or label” (White and Epson, cited in Madigan, 2011, p.30). White’s narrative ideas afford clients and therapists the opportunity to revise, recollect, and remember stories from several and opposing views. Change is made possible through this interpersonal conversation.
Anderson’s collaborative therapy supports the narrative idea that puts clients at the center of the therapeutic process. For Anderson, language, conversation and relationship are central part of any therapy. The way we develop a relationship with another person influences the kind and quality of conversations that we can have with each other. Respecting and valuing clients is important in therapeutic relationships, which brings about a sense of belonging and participating. I see narrative therapy as the heart of emerging social work practice that I will use in my work as a therapist.
Goal: The goal of Narrative Therapy is to help clients to see the realities of their lives, which offer more alternatives. It also aims at helping clients towards self-empowerment. Such a goal seeks to be more creative than corrective and pursues reflective and elaborative stances than persuasive or instructive (Turner, 2011).
Rationale: People make meaning of their lives that can be interpreted in many ways. As therapist, it is my hope to help clients re-author their lives by helping them to see other truths about themselves and other possible interpretation of events. By asking reflective questions, I hope to invite clients to assess other realities which may be true/ not of themselves.