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What theories do social workers use? Social work at all levels encompasses many theories and practice models. While social work theory can appear complex — it’s a valuable tool for applying practice models that best support clients.
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Understanding Social Work Theories and Practice Models
A social work theory is an evidence-based explanation for human behavior. Based on observations and research, these theories provide a framework for understanding human development, social behavior, motivation, and actions. Social work practice models allow social workers to implement interventions to support clients.
Social work theory exists in a psychosocial context, meaning that social workers consider both the individual and their social context to understand behavior. In particular, the person in the environment (PIE) theory situates individuals within micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work.
Social work theories help social workers understand the causes of human behavior, emotions, and actions. By exploring these causes, social workers can develop solutions for their clients.
Social theories draw on decades of research, providing a framework for implementing them into practice. In addition to providing a framework for developing treatment plans, social work theories give social workers a research-based lens to view their clients’ problems. Rather than bringing personal assumptions to client interactions, social workers use the lens of theory to interpret a client’s actions, thoughts, or behaviors.
Common Social Work Theories
Social work theories, which can draw on psychology and sociology, explain human behavior and development. Social workers use these theories to understand people’s challenges and implement intervention plans to support their clients. This section introduces some common social work theories.
Humans operate in complex systems, which influence their behavior. Systems theory approaches people from this perspective, situating individuals within broader communities.
When addressing an individual’s problems, social workers applying systems theory will consider family dynamics, community expectations, and other factors influencing the issue and possible resolutions. Social workers can better understand mental health, relationships, and family challenges by studying an individual’s interactions with systems.
Social workers apply systems theory in several ways, including structural and strategic approaches. These include highlighting and resolving problematic interactions, identifying systemic ideologies, or shifting cognitive perspectives.
How do individuals adopt new behaviors? Social learning theory, which draws on the work of psychologist Albert Bandura, argues that behavioral learning requires a social process of modeling and reinforcement. This reciprocal process relies on individuals looking to others to learn behaviors.
Understanding learning as a process of observation gives social workers a tool to identify modeled events, the retention of observed behavior, and the role of motivation in learning behaviors. This theory emphasizes the role of relationships and communities in shaping behavior.
According to psychosocial development theory, humans develop their identity in an eight-stage process. Developed by child psychoanalyst Erik Erikson in the mid-20th century, this theory emphasizes developmental stages from infancy through adulthood that shape personality and identity.
Psychosocial development theory highlights the importance of parental relationships and society in developing concepts such as purpose and competency. Social workers who specialize in working with children and families can apply this theory to understand developmental challenges and encourage growth.
How does the personality develop? Psychodynamic theory, originally developed by Sigmund Freud, examines the interplay between different parts of the mind. The id, representing the unconscious mind, drives based on instinct, while the superego, largely the conscious mind, attempts to follow society’s rules. The ego creates an individual’s personality through its unique balance of the id and superego.
Social workers may draw on psychodynamic theory to understand a person’s unconscious impulses and how they shape behavior and emotions.
While Freud focused on the conscious and unconscious mind, transpersonal theory argues that individuals can transcend the conscious mind to connect with larger forces. Building on Abraham Maslow’s concept of self-actualization, transpersonal theory examines spiritual practices and other transcendental practices.
Social workers can draw on transpersonal theory to help clients manage depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. Meditation, mindfulness, and spiritual practices integrate well with this theory.
Are humans rational? According to rational choice theory, people’s actions are rational choices based on an analysis of costs and benefits. Rational choice theory draws on social science research into individual decision-making and its influence on social outcomes, particularly in economics.
Social workers can base interventions on rational choice theory by guiding clients through a discussion of the benefits and risks of choices. This approach can also help social workers understand the decision-making process.
Common Practice Models in Social Work
While theory explains why something happens, practice models offer a blueprint for changing behaviors. Social work practice models allow social workers to apply theories to design interventions and support plans for their clients. This section introduces common practice models in social work.
One of the most popular practice models, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), examines patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Often used to treat depression, anxiety, or relationship issues, CBT can identify self-destructive thought patterns and encourage people to change these patterns.
Social workers who offer CBT treatment help clients recognize and understand problematic thoughts, providing tools to change these patterns. CBT practice can also focus on coping and problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and understanding the behaviors of others.
Social workers may use the crisis intervention model to support clients during a crisis. This model includes stages such as assessing the client’s safety, building trust, identifying problems, and creating an action plan.
Due to its focus on acute crises, this model prioritizes rapid assessment and intervention. Social workers often use the crisis intervention model with clients experiencing suicidal thoughts. Incorporating follow-ups after the acute crisis period and implementing action plans helps further support clients.
Narrative therapy encourages clients to separate their identities from their challenges. With this practice model, social workers holistically guide clients by examining their personal stories, encouraging them to focus on their skills and successes. By taking the role of narrator, clients gain distance from their problems and discover a new perspective on their purpose.
Narrative therapy techniques encourage clients to externalize problems by removing emotional or subjective reactions. Clients can then take productive action to improve their lives.
Many clients turn to social workers to help solve problems in their daily lives. The problem-solving model emphasizes addressing problems and teaching clients how to break up problems into smaller issues and find effective solutions.
This model encourages clients to develop independent problem-solving skills to address current and future challenges. Social workers focus on teaching practical strategies and techniques that clients can apply in their lives.
While many social work approaches examine past experiences, solution-focused therapy takes a different approach. As a goal-centered method, solution-focused therapy helps clients identify their goals and build the skills needed to accomplish their objectives.
Solution-focused therapy often uses a collaborative approach. Social workers guide clients through sessions emphasizing skill identification and development. Instead of examining the past issues that brought clients to the social worker, sessions take a forward-looking approach that reinforces resilience and problem-solving.
Clients with specific goals may benefit from task-centered practice, a short-term method in which social workers help clients develop action plans to achieve their goals. Task-centered practice can be effective in individual or group therapy settings.
While some social work practice methods address complex situations and mental health conditions, task-centered practice works best with a measurable and achievable goal. This method focuses on issues that can be addressed in 8-12 sessions.
