The 6 Social Work Theories That Inform Social Work Practice

Social work explores complex systems with evidence-based practice to consider human behavior through the lens of social environments. Social work practice models empower social workers to solve client problems. This article covers the six most prominent social work theories.

Social Work Programs You Should Consider

Virginia Commonwealth University

Online Master of Social Work

Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work is a pioneer in social work education. With a curriculum focused on.

Virginia Commonwealth University

Online Master of Social Work

Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work is a pioneer in social work education. With a curriculum focused on.

The importance of social work theories and practice models

• Micro social work focuses on the individual
• Mezzo social work focuses on families, schools, and organizations
• Macro social work focuses on organizational and societal issues

Social work theory applies to all three areas.

Social work theory is vital to the practice of social work. It differentiates social work from professions that provide non-scientific methods of help. In addition, social work theory provides social workers with the conceptual and theoretical tools to be competent in their approaches.

According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), clinical social work “is the professional application of social work theory and methods to the treatment and prevention of psychosocial dysfunction, disability, or impairment, including emotional and mental disorders. It is based on knowledge of one or more theories of human development within a psychosocial context.” In short: theory is essential to the practice of social work.

Utilizing social work theories can help social workers:

• Develop a baseline starting point for treatment and goals
• Assess and understand a client’s situation and feelings, and predict their behaviors
• Formulate a treatment plan
• Keep therapeutic work focused and goal-oriented
• Organize practice work around clear steps and interventions to reduce the many ways in which therapy can meander or become chaotic
• Provide social workers with theoretical tools and frameworks for treatment
• Help social workers be accountable for their work and actions

Resources for learning more about social work theories

One of the best ways to learn about social work practice and theories is to read trade publications dedicated to the field.

Helpful publications and journals:

• Journal of Social Work
• Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics
• Clinical Social Work Journal
• Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
• Social Work Today
• The Social Work Grad Cafe Forum
• The Council for Social Work Education Discussion Forum
• My National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Finally, visit a local accredited social work program in your area and ask to sit in on core clinical social work classes.

Countless individuals, couples, and families enter therapy hoping to remediate their mental illness, reduce conflict, or lessen their pain. Therapists endeavor to deliver on that promise of healing by applying the correct social work theory to the right problem. Of course, using one approach over another is left to the practitioner’s discretion. But trying to determine what will work best—and provide well-being—is at the heart of social work.

(Last Updated on February 26, 2024)

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