ipl-logo

Theories Of Clinical Social Work Practice

2533 Words11 Pages

THE RELEVANCE OF THEORY FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTISE IN BOTSWANA AND AFRICA

INTRODUCTION
The below assay is aimed at critically appraising the relevance of theory for clinical social work practise in Botswana and African context. First in the article there will be definition of the key terms of the question; relevance, theory and clinical social work respectively. The definition of terms will henceafter be followed by a discussion about what social work is, its history in Botswana, what theories are and why they are needed in clinical social work practice. Examples from Botswana and Africa will be used for arguments’ sake in relation to clinical social work and its importance in our different societies across Africa.
DEFINITION OF TERMS: …show more content…

The word ‘need’ here emphasizes the fact that social workers must know these theories so as to be able to be actively involved in the practice of clinical social work. These theories include such as;
a. Developmental theories; Piagets theory of development, Eric Ericksons psychosocial theories and so on. These theories help direct social worker practitioners to comprehend why someone may be doing something at a particular stage in life. For example, why male babies are jealous of their fathers and want their mother’s attention all to themselves.
b. Personality theories; they explain human behaviour or why certain persons may not act like the others. For example, why someone may be outspoken whilst the other is …show more content…

Human behaviour is way too complex to understand, for example; why people are suicidal, why others are serial killers, rapists and so on. It is for this reason that clinical social workers need theories for them to act as a lens that can be used to narrow down the complexity of human behaviour. Moreover, theories in clinical social work are a way to make sense out of confusing experiences and behaviours such as xenophobia in South Africa. Walsh (2009) views that, “everyone operates from a theoretical perspective whether they are aware of it or now”. He continues to add that it is vital for clinical social workers to learn about theories because in the midst of it all, they also learn about their own beliefs, their own assumptions about different people and how predicaments that are faced by people develop and how they can be

Show More
Related

Persuasive Essay On Menus

743 Words | 3 Pages

In America, people need to be eating healthier. Most people don't know what they are putting in their mouth while others think they do but don't. The obesity rate in America is 37.5%. That means this percentage of people have a BMI over 30. That's gross!

Read More

AOP Theory

1331 Words | 6 Pages

Anti-oppressive practice [AOP] and cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT] are both theories that social workers can use to help their clients cope with the challenges that they face. AOP is a macro theory that emphasizes how social justice workers must work towards eliminating all forms of oppression, at every level, if they want to make positive, lasting change for individuals and communities. Since people are often affected by several forms of oppression, AOP theorists believe that only focusing on eradicating one form of oppression will not solve the complicated issues that many people face (Baines, 2011). Conversely, CBT is a micro theory that focuses on how dysfunctional thoughts and unproductive behaviours negatively affect a person’s mood.

Read More

Anti Oppressive Practice Examples

1754 Words | 8 Pages

Anti-oppressive practice is also an approach of work in the social work that gives great emphasis to social change, empowerment, and partnership. Through anti-oppressive practice the problem of the individual is seen in a greater context: the individual, cultural, and societal and structural aspects are taken into consideration in the understanding of the problem and in its potential solutions. (Thompson 2002) developed the PCS model in other to fully grasp the full understanding of the individual, cultural and society which should influence the way social workers work with people of Black and ethnic minority and other oppressed groups. Intervention in the lives of the client should not only take place at the personal level but also cultural and structural in many cases all this level are interwoven. Power and Empowerment

Read More

Reflection On Theoretical Orientation

1692 Words | 7 Pages

Introduction Theoretical orientation is the concept of providing practitioners with theory based framework .The purpose of the theory is to help guide the social work professional in a setting while intervening with individuals, families and treatment. Theoretical Orientation also help the social worker to work with the clients to set their goals and ackwlodge certain techniques you may use while using a specific theory. In this reflection paper I will deliberate on developing a Theoretical orientation, Exploring your theoretical orientation, Integrating your theoretical at your field placement, and Task group techniques. Developing A Theoretical Orientation From Halbur & Halbur (2011) the strategies that were suggested to help the professional

Read More

Social Work Observation Paper

488 Words | 2 Pages

The application of observation methods informs social work processes and provided a reflective learning tool to my own SW values, ethics and anti-oppressive practice. Moreover, it provided ‘in action’ and ‘on action’ reflections from watching others and allowed for greater scope for reflections whilst observing. This method made me aware and observe the behaviours in others and how those behaviours are incongruent SW values and AOP. As an observer, you see things in others, things in yourself that you may not be aware of if

Read More

Critical Reflection On Social Work

1278 Words | 6 Pages

Practice based on empirical knowledge helps reduce bias, enables workers to study interpretations, perspectives or alternative solutions, and makes social workers more accountable for their decisions JD Hudson (1997). The dialogue between theory and practice In the past and present, there is hesitation among practitioners in social work to adapt theory and research because they feel that the reference to theory is the loss of connection with reality when practicing social work. In order for the social worker to be an effective practitioner, man must have a sound theoretical basis and this is not easy to achieve.

Read More

Strength Based Theory In Social Work

1104 Words | 5 Pages

Introduction The social work profession, was based on values that contributed not only to its own professional development and to helping different service user groups, but also to the development of societies in general. Describe how theories and research (EBP process) inform our professional knowledgebase. A clear theoretical perspective guide and influences social work practice in five key areas: observation, description, explanation, prediction and intervention.

Read More

System Theory In Social Work

1518 Words | 7 Pages

Erasmus Mundus Master in Social Work with Families and Children 4th edition - 2016-2018 1st Semester Name: Rojika Maharjan 1. Social work has evolved with different “theories in social work”; either concepts derived from other social sciences such as psychology or sociology or “theories for social work” which are the core philosophy of social work practice specified to give a professional purpose and approach to practice (Healy, 2014). a) Regarding the context of children and families, system theory and strength theory are appropriate. i)

Read More

Empowerment Theory In Social Work

1508 Words | 7 Pages

Modern social workers are frequently tasked with certain objectives by their agencies, which leave little room for any work beyond specific treatments and timeframes (Gitterman & Knight, 2016). Although social workers are bound to the set of ethics put forth by the NASW, practitioners are often limited to focusing on the issues of the individual rather than the larger societal issues that may be behind those concerns. Additionally, many social work students end up working in direct practice, rather than macro work. There is a need for social workers to engage at the macro level in order to facilitate community organization and empowerment. Critics suggest this theory may not take into account the unique experiences of each individual and perhaps key characteristics of the individual or group are not taken into consideration (Sadan, 1997).

Read More

The Psychodynamic Theories Of Early Child Development

675 Words | 3 Pages

1. I JoyRose Mahl will use the first grade level for this discussion. 2. The psychodynamic theory is associated with, Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson. Theorists who support this theory state, early childhood experiences play a major part in later development of a child’s personality, even if it is buried in there unconscious.

Read More

Importance Of Dignity In Social Work

1101 Words | 5 Pages

Considering that, the situation is difficult, as the object of social help is personality that is understood as a unique and solid system which is dynamic in itself. So the social worker in the process of social help encounters himself with the challenge to help a person to primarily restore his worthiness which would let him to solve his problems and not, conversely, resign and live with them. Yet the social work actually still impresses with its aspirations more than with concrete and tangible achievements or prestige (Kavaliauskienė, 2005). The objective of a social worker is noble, but often he confronts himself with unsolvable tasks. This situation raises because of the twofold orientation of social work: on one hand, it is directed towards a person, but on the other hand, to the society; that is, the direction goes towards a whole and towards its part – the community and the individual – by trying to reach their interaction and consistency.

Read More

Importance Of Self Awareness In Social Work

1755 Words | 8 Pages

According to Kaushik (2017), National Association of Social Workers (NAWS) emphasised that self-awareness is significant in culturally competent social work practice as one way of respecting the importance of multicultural identities in people’s lives. By enhancing the social workers’ self-awareness, they would develop a better understanding of how their thoughts towards certain issues including corporal punishment, came about. For example, they will realise that living in different countries give them different experiences and in turn this influence their attitudes. Thus, the skill of self-awareness enables the social workers to understand how past experiences are affecting their approach to understanding differences. Social Work Skills: Empathy Empathy is an important skill for without it social workers would be unable to fully understand the other party’s point of view in each situation (Ruben,

Read More

Symbolic Interaction Theory In Social Work

1651 Words | 7 Pages

This is as to how the social worker and the population interact. It involves the people making sense in their interaction. This theory enables the social worker to study the behaviour of the people he or she is involved with. This is demostrated on her role as a consellor and educator.

Read More

Theories Of Social Work

2257 Words | 10 Pages

This case study throws light on the focus of the systems theory when compared with individualistic, psychotherapeutic practices such as psychodynamic or cognitive behavioural practice. Other social work theories don’t offer any base for including work with others except the client only. Social works involve working with all the elements of the society and its engagement with the client and all systems influencing the client. This theory aims at recognising the context and whether it extends from the importance of

Read More

CCD Reflection Paper

739 Words | 3 Pages

Seven principles of social work (Biestek, 1957) – confidentiality, self-determination, individualization, acceptance, non-judgmental attitude, purposeful expression of feeling and controlled emotional involvement – set good norms for me to handle service users. Furthermore, the basic training of social workers could equip me well in handling individual’s needs in case and group work settings. These skills are useful in launching project in CCD. Moreover, I must do reflections frequently and beware my role consciously in promoting CCD work because conflicts inevitably occurs during facing a group of participants with distinct background, interests and needs. Besides, if I want to be a worker using this CCD approach, macro social work’s value, knowledge and skills are needed to acquire to facilitate it, for instance, BBO, anti-oppression model, community economic development model and community building.

Read More

More about Theories Of Clinical Social Work Practice

Related Topics

Open Document