The Helping Process

docx

School

Grand Canyon University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

525

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by ElderMoose3634

1 The Helping Process Zoë Mansour Warmoth College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University SWK 525: Generalist Social Work Practice Dr. Kelli Barnes March 7, 2023

2 The Helping Process The Helping Process The helping process includes both the multisystems practice model and the planned change model (Gasker, 2019) . Both models require examination of the client, their systems and environment (Gasker, 2019) . During the helping process, the social worker and client seek transformation and change (Gasker, 2019) . Behaviors will be assessed and targeted (Gasker, 2019) . Treatments will be recommended. Goals will be set and the path toward each goal carefully delineated (Gasker, 2019) . Resources will be identified and sought out (Gasker, 2019) . It is imperative that the client feel supported and empowered. Social workers that view clients within the frameworks of person-in-environment, family-in-environment, the strengths perspective and the ecological perspective will have a more complete and holistic view of their clients, their needs, their strengths and obstacles, and the resources already available to them (Gasker, 2019) Multisystems Practice Model In social work, theoretical frameworks are used to explain observable occurrences and often predict future occurrences (Gasker, 2019) . Theories are built upon concepts that express ideas (Gasker, 2019) . When related concepts are combined, they form constructs – the building blocks of theories (Gasker, 2019) . Consider social systems theory and general systems theory. Social systems theory sees society as a complex system of interconnected parts (Gasker, 2019) . General systems theory seeks to analyze the structure and behavior of these complex systems (Gasker, 2019) . A system is a set of interconnected subsystems that work together. Systems are organized hierarchically and are constantly changing and exchanging energy (Gasker, 2019) .

3 They have boundaries that are permeable, allowing for this exchange of energy (Gasker, 2019) . These systems all seek to achieve homeostasis in an effort to remain in balance (Gasker, 2019) . The concepts of systems and energy come together to form the construct of system interaction (Gasker, 2019) . The construct of system interaction describes human behavior as it reflects biological, psychological and social qualities (Gasker, 2019) . This construct leads us to the principle that each system is a holon, meaning it is both whole and part, and the principle of synergy, meaning the sum is greater than its parts (Gasker, 2019) . Social systems theory builds on general systems theory to provide the foundations for the multisystem practice model (Gasker, 2019) . Social workers use the multisystem practice model to guide generalist social work practice by building upon the generalist implementation model (Gasker, 2019) . The generalist implementation model consists of four perspectives: 1) person-in-environment perspective; 2) family-in-environment perspective; 3) ecological perspective; and 4) strengths perspective (Gasker, 2019) . The multisystem practice model is based upon the principle that all individuals within all systems are constantly affected and being affected by all systems within society in an effort to have their needs met (Gasker, 2019) . As these systems are influencing one another with both input and output continuously and simultaneously, any one or a combination of these systems may be targeted for intervention (Gasker, 2019) . Planned Change Model The eight stages of the planned change process are interactive and reoccurring (Gasker, 2019) . The first stage, self-reflection, is a time of introspection for the social worker (Gasker, 2019) . A social worker should examine his or her own diversity and how that may affect their

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

4 interaction with their client. The social worker should examine their own strengths and weaknesses so they can act intentionally and professionally. The second stage, engagement, is critical to building a relationship between the social worker and the client (Gasker, 2019) . Engaging with the client requires the social worker to see things from the client’s point of view. This is called preparatory empathy, and it is a necessity of the helping relationship (Gasker, 2019) . Under a multisystems perspective, a social worker and their client may share one or more systems (Gasker, 2019) . The third stage, assessment, involves analyzing their client’s specific system interactions and determining what strengths and resources can be targeted for intervention (Gasker, 2019) . The fourth stage is planning (Gasker, 2019) . During this stage the social worker interacts within the client system to identify and list specific goals to be met, how those goals will be achieved and how they will be deemed to have been met (Gasker, 2019) . During the fifth stage of implementation, the planned interventions are carried out by the social worker or the client or both (Gasker, 2019) . Stage six is evaluation. During this stage the social worker and their client work together to assess progression toward the set goals (Gasker, 2019) . Stage seven, termination, can occur either because the goals have been met or because the client is being referred elsewhere (Gasker, 2019) . The final stage, follow-up, occurs when the social worker contacts the client to see if their needs have been met or if further services or resources are needed (Gasker, 2019) . Diversity is critical to the helping process because it leads to the formation of one’s identity, as well as the potential for oppression or power (Gasker, 2019) . Most individuals form their identity based upon which groups they see themselves as belonging to. Diversity is the main component of this identity formation. Differences among groups can result in one group feeling oppressed, while another group feels power over the marginalized group. Diversity can be

5 comprised of individual differences or social differences. Social workers should recognize that diversity can be any difference between individuals or between groups, as diversity is not limited to race, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, culture or physical attributes (Gasker, 2019) . Diversity can be incorporated into the planned change model by using strengths-based language that emphasizes a client’s strengths rather than their challenges (Gasker, 2019) . Christian Worldview Because we believe that God created human beings to be responsible for caring for one another, it is critical that Christian social workers believe in the inherent value and worth of every human being, regardless of race, creed, socioeconomic background, or any other identifying characteristic (Grand Canyon University, n.d.) . We are committed to compassion and the rectification of all injustices (Grand Canyon University, n.d.) . We are called to demonstrate the love of Jesus without judgement or disdain (Grand Canyon University, n.d.) . Our National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics also calls on us to treat every human being with dignity, compassion and respect (National Association of Social Workers, 2023) . Attaining cultural competency is imperative to ensuring the planned change process is inclusive to all clients. Respecting client autonomy requires the social worker to be cognizant of the dynamics of power and sympathetic to the ways in which power come to bear in the social worker-client relationship (Gasker, 2019) . We are called to serve and to minister to those afflicted by mental health and substance abuse disorders and unresolved trauma. By relying on and having faith in God, we can lead clients on a spirit-led path toward redemption (Grand Canyon University, n.d.) .

6 References Gasker, J. (2019). Generalist Social Work Practice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc. Grand Canyon University. (n.d.). Statement on the Integration of Faith and Work. Retrieved from GCU.edu: https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Statement-IFLW.pdf National Association of Social Workers. (2023). Read the Code of Ethics. Retrieved from SocialWorkers.org: https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code- of-Ethics-English

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

7 References Gasker, J. (2019). Generalist Social Work Practice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc. Grand Canyon University. (n.d.). Statement on the Integration of Faith and Work. Retrieved from GCU.edu: https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Statement-IFLW.pdf National Association of Social Workers. (2023). Read the Code of Ethics . Retrieved from SocialWorkers.org: https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code- of-Ethics-English

The Helping Process

Related Documents