Social Work Theories Table

Categories of theory

Roberts & Nee (1970)

Psychodynamic

psychosocial

Strean (1971)

Hopkins (1986)

Howe (1987)

psychosocial psychoanalysis

functional problem-solving

psycho-analytic functional

ego psychology

egocentred diagnostic overdeveloped superego separation-individuation

individual

Cognitive-behavioural

behavioural modification

(Family treatment)

family therapy

Crisis theories Task-centred

crisis intervention

Systems theories

behaviour modification

behaviour modification cognitive family therapy psychoanalytic, crisis, strategic, structural, experiential family-focused marital (couple) casework crisis task-centred

systems

systems

behavioural social work

(allies with behavioural approaches) (not seen as a major category)

Social psychological/ construction socialisation

imitative learning communication theory

role theory small groups

presentation of self

Sociological/social development

organisation theory Humanist/existential approaches

transactional analysis client-centred

existential fantasy-reality gestalt encounter life-space

client-centred (groups a number of existential ideas under the heading of ‘seekers after the self’)

Critical theories

Marxist/radical/radical structuralism

Feminist

consciousness-raising (includes feminist social work)

Anti-racist/antidiscrimination theory Empowerment and advocacy

Turner (1986)

Lishman (1991)

Hanvey & Philpot (1994)

psychosocial

psychodynamic

casework

psychoanalytic functional problem-solving ego psychology

Kumar (1995)

Turner(1996) psychosocial

problem-solving

psychoanalytic functional problem-solving ego psychology

Erikson’s life-cycle approach to development psychodynamic counselling attachment theory behaviour therapy

behavioural social work

cognitive family treatment

cognitive-behavioural

crisis task-centred

crisis intervention task-cented practice

behavioural approach

behavior therapy cognitive

family therapy

crisis intervention task-centred work

crisis task-centred

written agreements systems

systems approach

systems

life model

systems life model constructivist narrative transpersonal communication neuro-linguistic programming role theory

communication theory neuro-linguistic programming role theory groupwork bereavement/loss community social work

social development feminist Gandhian community work alternatives to custody

empowerment

transactional analysis

transactional analysis

client-centred

client-centred

existential

existentialism

existential

gestalt

gestalt

meditation

meditation

Marxist

feminist

structural approach

Marxism

feminist approaches

hypnosis materialist (Marxist)

radical feminism

anti-racist social work aboriginal/Cree

welfare rights participatory approach

Stepney & Ford (2000)

Cooper & Lesser (2002)

psychodynamic

psychodynamic (object relations)

Behavior therapy cognitive

counselling

self-psychology

cognitive-behavioural

crisis intervention task-centred

ecological solution-focused narrative

community social work

existentialist

women’s psychology

cross-cultural empowerment