1. Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.
SOCIAL WORK IN CANADA An Introduction Third Edition
Chapter 4: Theory and Approaches to Social Work Practice
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

2. 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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

3. 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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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4. 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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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5. What Is a Social Work Theory?
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

6. What Is a Social Work Theory?
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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7. 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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

8. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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9. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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10. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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11. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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12. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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13. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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14. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

15. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

16. Specific Theories of Social Work
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
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17. 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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

18. Psychologically Based Theories
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

19. Psychologically Based Theories
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

20. Psychologically Based Theories
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

21. Psychologically Based Theories
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

22. Psychologically Based Theories
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

23. Psychologically Based Theories
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

24. Psychologically Based Theories
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

25. Toward a Personal Approach to Social Work Practice
What works for you?
Integrative approach
Eclectic approach
Dialectical approach
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

26. Toward a Personal Approach to Social Work Practice
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

27. Toward a Personal Approach to Social Work Practice
Eclectic approach
Involves selecting concepts and methods
Does not unify or integrate the pieces
Selects various concepts and methods as deemed appropriate
Extremely flexible
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

28. Toward a Personal Approach to Social Work Practice
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
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

29. 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?
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

30. Questions for Discussion
Discuss important factors that would shape the
ways in which you choose theories that guide
your social work practice.
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

31. Questions for Discussion
In what ways might you share your theoretical
perspectives with your clients?
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

32. Questions for Discussion
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?
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

33. Questions for Discussion
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?
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
Social Work In Canada
Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.

34. Copyright © 2010 Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.
Websites
Association for the Development of the Person-Centered Approach
Critical Social Work
Chapter 4:
Theory & Approaches to Social Work Practice
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