Theoretical Basis of Practice Essay:
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In the field of social work, many social work agencies use various theories and methods because of the heterogeneous demand. My agency employs psychosocial theories alongside a range of practices such as the Attachment Theory, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and supervision-led guidance. This makes the approach very suitable for the case of children and their clients, as the intervention strategies that are recommended are diverse and inform the various client needs.
One of the key theories employed by the agency is Attachment Theory, which is, in fact, the foundation of the agency’s work. This theory, formulated by John Bowlby, outlines early interaction between children and their major attachment figures. While discussing the patterns of attachment that were formed during infancy, the main postulates of Attachment Theory should be taken into account: it is stated that the quality of the initial connections defines a person’s emotional and social experience in the future (Granqvist, 2020). The agency uses this theory to assess the life experiences of the clients, especially children, and how these experiences affect their practice in the present involving their caregivers and other significant others.
CBT is the other major foundation in the agency’s strategy. This theory revolves around the psychological progression of certain ideas, emotions, and actions. Indeed, CBT is most useful when it comes to addressing ongoing concerns that include depression, anxiety, and behavioural issues, which services of the agency engage frequently. Different aspects of CBT are provided according to the age and type of the clients they are serving. For instance, while delivering services to children, the agency takes into account the family and its impact on the child through parents’ knowledge, attitude, and behaviour (Spiegel et al., 2022). This flexibility makes CBT a go-to and very efficient weapon with which the agency can fight the fiscal year 2010 fraud.
Subsequently, changes have occurred in the usage of such theories, as indicated in the interactive essay below. At first, the agency may have followed certain paradigms or even just one in a more rigorous sense. Nevertheless, with the development of the theoretical frameworks of the profession of social work, there has been a concern for the integrationist and pluralistic movement. This transformation is detectable in the agency today, where supervision- led direction is predominant in operations. Practitioners benefit from the supervisor’s experience and knowledge during their discussions to reveal dynamics, answer questions, and make links between parents and children. By incorporating both these aspects, this approach not only augments the efficacy of what is done in the case of the intervention but also accurately reflects the workings of these theories as well as the experience that is gathered in practice.
It also means that the agency has yet to have any defined or mandatory theoretical background that it has to pursue. It does not prescribe that the staff follow a set theory and practice but rather select strategies from the pool, depending on the requirements of the clients they are dealing with. With this flexibility, the practitioners are in a position to select the theories and models they consider appropriate for handling the clients and for the particular situation at hand. Another important concept in this regard is supervision: it is a process where the staff members are offered a chance to deliberate on ways to promote better practice, with reference to the knowledge and experience both of themselves and of the supervisor.
That is why self-determination is also one of the main principles of social work, which highlights the idea of a client’s ability to decide on their affairs and life. This principle finds its application to varying degrees within the chosen theories. In this, self-determination is less evident since the course of Attachment Theory emphasizes past events and how these shape present actions. However, knowledge of these past influences reduces the chances of a repeated event in that area in the future or enables clients to at least make an informed decision as to the kind of relationship or parent they wish to be in future.
Conversely, CBT has an inherent element of self-determination whereby the clients are assisted to challenge and modify negative core beliefs and maladaptive behaviours. Clients participate not only in the determination of therapy plans and goals but also have an essential role in the implementation of the same with help from the therapist. These engagements enhance cognitive therapy, as they provide the patient with a sense of power over the circumstances surrounding such therapy. The agency then identifies the best model of intervention after a series of assessments and determination of whether the problem is depression or bullying. For instance, CBT might be selected because it offers a problem-solving approach to understanding the negative thoughts and behaviours associated with depression and the consequences of bullying. It also makes sense that the agency has a preference for the kind of programme needed by the client in order to deliver appropriate and beneficial interventions.
Supervision sessions also promote the same client-centred approach by involving the supervisee in controlling the process. During these sessions, practitioners learn how to translate concepts learned in a classroom and intake into practice, understand how to offer services with flexibility based on the client’s needs and manage their interactions in a flexible and positive manner. Through this dynamic process, practitioners can achieve a more proactive understanding of expansions in the field and enhance their practice.
In terms of the theoretical framework of work, the agency employs a pluralistic model of social work, being equally open to both systemic and psychodynamic models of working while being focused on clients’ needs. As per the focus of the study, which is aimed at identifying ways to improve the practice in the agency and constantly developing ways to address clients’ needs, it is suggested that the elements of attachment theory, CBT, and supervision-led guidance be integrated. It is this eclectic and adaptive use that not only helps increase the efficacy of interventions but also skilfully respects the principle of self-determination that underlies social work. This process encourages the constant learning of the agency and the improvement of services to provide our clients with the most current and efficient support.
References
Granqvist, P. (2020). Attachment, culture, and gene-culture co-evolution: Expanding the Evolutionary Toolbox of Attachment Theory. Attachment & Human Development, 23(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2019.1709086
Spiegel, J. A., Graziano, P. A., Arcia, E., Cox, S. K., Ayala, M., Carnero, N. A., & O’Mara, N. L. (2022). Addressing Mental Health and Trauma-Related Needs of Sheltered Children and Families with Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT). Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 49(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-022-01207-0