Social Work Theories

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James Tucker April 29, 2010 SSW – 502 Spring 2010 The field of social work is constantly being influenced by new theories and ideology that affects how social worker’s engage and interact with their clients. The new ideology of the theories can impact the values of social worker’s. The purpose of this paper is to explore and inform how the concepts of relationship or alliance with clients from the work of the RCT theorist, Judith Herman, and Paulo Freire has influenced my values and developing sense of social work practice. As a student of social work I am taught to use a combination of theories in order to enhance my knowledge with helping clients. Some theories focus on…show more content…
I realized that after reading about traumatic counter-transference that it is easy for a therapist to want to assume the role of the rescuer. I remember a few times when I work with some of my clients that I wanted to take on the role of the rescuer. It’s a part of human nature to want to protect someone against the horrendous feelings of helplessness. Judith Herman does an incredible job pointing out this “rescuer” ideology, and explains the importance of a therapy contract. After reading the section of Herman’s book “Trauma and Recovery,” I further realized the significance of the therapy contract during the recovery stage of a traumatic event. Herman explains that the two most important guarantees of safety are the goals, rules, and boundaries of the therapy contract and the support system of the therapist. In the past I never created a therapy contract with my clients. After reading “Trauma and Recovery,” I gained knowledge to how a therapy contract can set a foundation and an outline of what the client can expect while engaging in therapy. The therapy contract should emphasis on truth telling and full disclosure, cooperative nature of the work, preparation for repeated testing, disruption, and the rebuilding of trust, careful attention to the boundaries, and a decision on limits based on whether they empower the patient and foster a good working relationship. Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” is

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