Top Social Work Theories, Methods, and Reference Guide

A Cheat Sheet on Social Work Theories for Every Social Worker

Social work theories and models form a vital basis for your job, regardless of whether you are employed by a government agency, private practice, or corporate entity.

The social work frameworks listed below will assist you in gathering the necessary data for creating client care plans, and using the finest assessment theory in social work will provide you a tried-and-true framework for working with clients.

Knowing these fundamental social work frameworks will be a component of your training as a social worker. Several instances of best practices in social work can be found in the various theories and practice models that are described here.

Social workers will be far less effective without these social work frameworks on how to deal with diverse client crises and engage with different types of clients. Social workers’ general command of social work practice—including evaluation, planning, intervention, and review—improves when they become knowledgeable about all the many social work theories and models.

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Theory and Practice of Social Work Notes for Private and Generalist Social Work Practices in Social Work

Social work practice models give social workers guidance on the procedures to follow in all of their client interactions, from the initial interview to the follow-up, and they also offer resources for interacting with clients according to their circumstances. This handbook gives you all the information you require.

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Theories of Social Work Practice: What Are They?

Your primary goal as a social worker in a private or generalist practice is to assist clients by using a variety of interventions.

In the context of social work practice in mental health, these interventions might involve assisting a client in resolving emotional or mental health issues. A client may also be referred to financial or other basic assistance services as part of an intervention or client engagement to assist them in getting through a temporary hardship.

In addition to working with individuals and families, social workers may also aid with a family’s difficult medical diagnosis or a child’s potential academic difficulties.

Social workers require a framework to manage every scenario during all of these many kinds of interactions.

In clinical practice, social work theories aid in offering a well investigated and empirically tested framework. Social workers can identify all of the environmental factors that are influencing a client’s condition by using a theoretical framework.

A social work theory can be viewed as a “nugget of wisdom” to guide social work, but one that has undergone extensive testing and has a scientific foundation.

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What Are the Key Steps to Social Work Practice Models?

Social work ideas can be incorporated into social work practice approaches. However, a social work practice model is different from a social work theory in that it offers a method for the social worker and client to communicate.

The actions a social worker should take in a client care process, such as the following, may be outlined in a direct practice social work model:

• Interview
• Research
• Assessment
• Develop Care Plan
• Implement & Monitor Plan
• Review Achievements
• Terminate Engagement

For the purpose of assisting social workers in handling various clientele and circumstances, there are numerous social work theories and models.

Social work theories and practice methods are closely related. For social work client involvement, for instance, the phases in the problem-solving model might be utilized in conjunction with a problem-solving theory (such as the Rational Choice Theory).

In the planned-change social work paradigm, phase 2, or the “assessment” phase, social workers may apply an assessment theory to better understand an individual.

The True Importance of Theories in Social Work

A social work theories chart is a useful tool for social workers to have on hand for different kinds of client encounters. Social work theories provide valuable insights for generalist social work practice, including social work with individuals and families, mental health, and other areas.

Social workers can benefit greatly from the use of social work theories as they assist them comprehend the different internal and environmental factors influencing a client’s behavior and circumstances.

Scientific data grounded in research supports the significance of ideas in social work practice. A social worker can benefit from having a theoretical framework in social work theory in a number of ways :

• A sense of direction
• Insight to help with problem-solving
• Better control of a situation and solution
• Confidence that an approach is the right one
• Good examples of best practices in social work

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Generalist Social Work Practice: What Is It? Why Does This Matter?

“What is generalist social work practice?” is a frequently asked question when researching social work theory and practice.

Rather than being a social work framework, generalist social work practice is the kind of general social work practice that undergraduate social work students would usually study as one of their first courses.

Generalist social workers “work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, social policies, and communities in a variety of settings in pursuit of social and economic justice,” according to the Humbolt State University College of Professional Studies.

“This means the social worker has an eclectic theoretical base that utilizes a systems framework to assess a variety of points for possible intervention,” is how Skidmore College defines “generalist social work practice.”

Both of these definitions of generalist social work practice make clear how crucial social work theories and models are to any general social work practice.

Summary: Various Theories of Social Work (A Cheat Sheet for Social Workers)

We’ll then go over a dozen distinct social work theories. These are the research-based “nuggets of wisdom” about individuals, families, and communities that guide social work practice.

As you’re learning about social work theory and practice, you may use this list and the definitions in the sections below to create a convenient chart of social work theories.

List of Social Work Theories

• Anti-Oppressive Social Work Theory and Practice
• Theory of Conflict
• Theory of Ecological Systems
• Theory of Empowerment
• Theory of the Family Life Cycle
• Theory of Functionalism
• The Theory of Person in the Environment (PIE)
• Theory of Psychodynamics
• Theory of Psychosocial Development
• Theory of Rational Choice
• Theory of Social Learning
• Theory of Systems
• Theory of Transpersonal Relations

Comprehensive List of Theories in Social Work and Their Meanings

Following is a social work theories cheat sheet with explanations of each of these different social work theories.

Anti-Oppressive Social Work Theory and Practice

The anti-discriminatory method The foundation of social work theory is the understanding that a person’s difficulties can be linked to broader forms of socioeconomic oppression.

Social workers who apply the theory of anti-oppressive practice social work will critically analyze the political and cultural factors that might be fostering an environment of prejudice that exacerbates the client’s problems.

Theory of Conflict

The conflict theory was originated by Karl Marx and is a view that conflict is a human tendency and an inevitability of societies. It doesn’t state that conflict is good or bad, but rather that it can be a catalyst for change.

This social work theory can help social workers understand areas of conflict in the lives or situations of individuals, families, and groups, and potentially look for positive change that can emerge from conflict.

Theory of Ecological Systems

Urie Bronfenbrenner, a psychologist, developed the ecological systems theory in social work, which acknowledges that a child’s existence is made up of interactions with a variety of influencing variables (parents, siblings, school, friends, society, etc.).

This social work theory aids in the social worker’s ability to link external influencers with either positive or negative behaviors or events, and it can be used to clients of all ages.

Empowerment Theory

The empowerment social work theory takes the anti-oppressive practice social work theory one step farther.

After identifying that there are external societal factors that may contribute to oppression and discrimination, the empowerment theory emphasizes ways those factors can be overcome. It highlights the strengths and resiliency of those individuals and groups that may have been marginalized.

Theory of the Family Life Cycle

The family life cycle social work theory is used by social workers to comprehend the normal course of the family life cycle, which includes independence, marriage or coupling, having children, empty nesting, and retirement.

This knowledge aids social workers in applying assessment theory in their interactions with clients by providing an additional perspective on potential life changes that the client or family may be going through.

Theory of Functionalism

According to functionalist social work theory, society is composed of many interconnected parts that function as a whole. A group may be disadvantaged or given less opportunities than another if one of these components is out of balance with the others. According to this social work philosophy, a healthier society aims to restore equilibrium.

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Social Work Theories: A Reference Guide

Person in the Environment (PIE) Theory

The person in the environment (PIE) theory is a problem-solving theory social work practitioners use to assess a client’s situation. It looks beyond the mental or emotional state of a person to other factors in their environment that may be contributing to a problem. These factors can include things like (social situation, relationships, income, race, family dynamics, education, and more).

Psychodynamic Theory

Sigmund Freud originated the psychodynamic theory. This social work theory explains that human behavior and feeling are impacted by both the unconscious and conscious mind.

It also notes the different areas of the unconscious mind, beginning with the id, which operates at a basic level to seek pleasure and avoid pain, and ending with the super ego, which is more responsible and integrates societal expectations.

Social workers can use this assessment theory in social work to help a client gain more insight into self-destructive behaviors and how to overcome them.

Psychosocial Development Theory

The psychosocial development social work theory by Erik Erikson lays out eight maturation stages in an individual’s lifecycle.

These stages are:

• Hope
• Will
• Purpose
• Competency
• Fidelity
• Love
• Care
• Wisdom

Understanding these maturation phases, which begin when someone is an infant and continue in their senior years, can give social workers more insight into a client that can help them solve a particular crisis that the client is facing.

Rational Choice Theory

The rational choice problem-solving theory social work uses recognizes that individuals will often rationalize their actions, even if those actions may go against societal norms.

The rational choice theory puts more emphasis on the responsibility of the individual for the decisions they make and less on external factors and argues that decisions are made through a person’s rational thought processes.

Social Learning Theory

The social learning theory, which was developed by Albert Bandura, is often used as an assessment theory social work practitioners use with children. The theory recognizes that people may adopt behaviors by watching and imitating the people around them.

This social work theory can be used, for example, to help explain why a child may be bullying others in school, if perhaps they are imitating a parent or older sibling.

Systems Theory

The systems theory is very similar to the ecological systems social work theory. It looks at the systems surrounding a person to help explain that person’s behavior and circumstances.

Influencing factors can be family, friends, school, work, or other community institutions. Understanding these influences helps social workers create more effective care plans.

Transpersonal Theory

The transpersonal theory is one of the few social work theories in practice that highlight the impact of spirituality and religion in a person’s healing process. It emphasizes the connection between mind, body, and consciousness.

Some of the ways this social work theory is used in social work private practice are through the use of hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and meditation.

Overview: Various Models of Direct Practice Social Work

The social work frameworks known as practice models direct social workers’ interactions with clients. A variety of client circumstances can be effectively addressed by employing social work techniques found in several of these direct practice social work models. They are adaptive and versatile.

Others will be unique to a specific clientele or a mental health social work practice for a given clientele. In order to effectively employ social work frameworks with people, families, and groups, social workers must be familiar with all of them.

List of Social Work Practice Models

• Model of Crisis Intervention
• Model of Cognitive-Behavioral
• Model of Narrative Therapy
• Model of Planned Change
• Model for Solving Problems
• Model of Task-Centered Practice

Detailed List of Social Work Practice Models & How They Work

Following, you’ll find details on these different social work methods of practice that social workers use to guide their client engagement process.

Crisis Intervention Model

The crisis intervention social work practice model is specifically used for clients who are in immediate danger or who have just experienced extreme acute trauma.

This social work framework includes the following steps for client engagement:

1. Take a psychosocial and lethality assessment.
2. Rapidly establish rapport.
3. Identify the major cause or causes of the crisis.
4. Enable the client to express their feelings and emotions.
5. Generate and explore safe alternatives for coping.
6. Create an action plan.
7. Follow up after the intervention.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Model

The cognitive-behavioral therapy model is a social work practice in mental health. It focuses on the client’s thoughts and emotions and how they can cause self-destructive behaviors.

In this therapeutic social work practice, the social worker teaches the client tactics they can use to improve their emotional state and thoughts and thus improve their life and situation.

Narrative Therapy Model

The narrative therapy social work theory and practice model involves helping the client discuss their problems in a story-based format as if it was happening to another person.

This facilitates the person taking an objective view of the situation that helps them identify potential triggers of their problem as well as solutions.

Planned-Change Model

The planned-change model is one of the social work frameworks that is a step-by-step client engagement framework that can be deployed for multiple client and situation types.

The goal of this social work practice model is to identify a problem, create a plan to solve it, and then successfully terminate the engagement once solved.

Steps in the planned-change model in social work include:

• Engagement
• Assessment
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation
• Termination
• Follow Up

Problem Solving Model

The social work problem-solving model’s goal is to help the client focus on one problem at a time. This is useful when the situation is short-term and there is one key issue that needs to be resolved.

In the case of more than one problem, the social worker can prioritize issues from most to least urgent and use the problem-solving model to address one issue at a time with the client.

Task-Centered Practice Model

The task-centered practice social work model focuses on setting goals for the client and achieving those goals. This can be a helpful social case work process to use to make large issues more manageable by focusing on each step towards a goal, one at a time.

Social work theory and practice notes related to this model include the following steps:

• Define the problem
• Establish goals
• Work on goals
• Review goals

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Conclusion: Notes on Social Work Theory and Practice

A social worker’s interaction with a client would be far less objective and more subjective in the absence of social work theory and practice models.

To create a strong basis of optimal practices, social work theories and models compile the body of knowledge from decades of social work and psychology research. With the knowledge that these are grounded in science, supported by field study, and research, social workers can utilize them with confidence.

We hope that our reference guide on social work theories and information on social work practice models will be useful to you as you continue to learn about the social work field.

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