CHAPTER SEVEN THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO INTERVENING WITH FAMILIES

1. CHAPTER SEVENTHEORETICAL APPROACHES TO INTERVENING WITH FAMILIES The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2nd ed.)

2. Key Ideas • Though families are often resilient and resourceful, many circumstances necessitate intervention by a social worker. • Social workers often use a variety of theoretical approaches in their work with families. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

3. Strengths Perspective • Enhance family assets • Develop new coping and resiliency strategies • Focus on solutions © 2011 Taylor & Francis

4. Narrative Theory • Incorporates strengths • Views family as expert • Emphasizes collaboration between social worker and family © 2011 Taylor & Francis

5. Solution-Focused Approach • Emphasizes families’ strengths, empowerment, self-determination, and collaboration between social worker and family • Explores skills and competence of families • Common techniques: • Provide compliments • Provide feedback • Miracle questions • Scaling questions • Explore for exceptions © 2011 Taylor & Francis