Application of Social Work Theories in Diverse Client Cases

This assignment provides a comprehensive analysis of various social work theories and their practical application to diverse client case scenarios. It examines cases involving a trans woman facing family rejection, a formerly successful man struggling with homelessness and alcoholism, a child placed in protective care due to poverty, and an individual facing deportation due to past offenses and domestic violence. The assignment utilizes theories such as queer theory, cognitive behavior theory, radical social work theory, feminist theory, and anti-oppressive social work theory to understand the underlying issues and propose appropriate interventions. Approaches like the recovery model, cognitive behavior therapy, and evidence-based practice are suggested to address the specific needs of each client and improve their well-being. The analysis demonstrates the importance of applying relevant theoretical frameworks to inform effective social work practice and promote positive change in individuals' lives.

Running Head: SOCIAL WORK THEORIES
Social Work Theories
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Running Head: SOCIAL WORK THEORIES
Question 1
Diana, a trans-woman is facing a lot of challenges in trying to live with her parents and the
society at large. Queer theory also known as critical social work theory is the best theory for this
scenario. The theory says that whatever gender one grew up believing, is the gender that one
should take regardless of the changes that occur. Each person has a certain behavior that is
associated with both male and female and thus no one possesses a given identity (Sorry
Sigmund, 2011). Diana’s parents are using this to stick with the name Darmien that was given to
her during birth. This theory has been selected as it focuses on the behavior that a person
develops while growing. This may be in terms of sex, language or even behavior which one did
not possess during birth. When Diana was born, she was given a male name but later on
developed a behavior that is associated with the female sex and ended up changing her name to
Diana.
The trans-inclusive social work theory is also important in helping Diana value her
identity as it puts more emphasis on the benefits of physical expressions in identifying the gender
and sexuality of a person. This theory focuses on the physical presentation of a person that
makes it easy to identify a person as either male or female. This theory has been chosen for this
case study as Diana uses it to dress like a lady yet she grew up knowing that she was male.
As a social worker, it is important to use the recovery model of mental health to help
Diana regain her courage and normal mental condition. The Recovery model puts more emphasis
on a person suffering from a mental illness rather than the illness itself. Through this model
Diana will be able to get a sense of hope and belief in her identity.

Running Head: SOCIAL WORK THEORIES
Question 2
The critical social work theory has contributed to the current state of life that Randal
lives. It puts more emphasis on the different social injustices and social problems as opposed to
an individual problem. This has made Randal to stop using one leg and also live under a bridge
as the society has decided to stop helping individuals and focus on the society. This theory fits
this case study as it emphasizes on the need to solve social problems that face the whole society
instead of focusing on the people that make it. Randal does not have a person to turn to for
assistance and has ended up living in the streets alone. Had he joined a particular group in the
society, it would be easier to get help from the community and the government.
The cognitive behavior theory can also be used to explain why Randal is an alcoholic.
This theory suggests that a person might have mental problems by sticking on two different ideas
or beliefs. The person ends up undertaking an activity that is against their own beliefs yet they
cannot avoid doing it. This theory has been put into use in this case study because Randal
believes that the heavy drinking does not affect him and that is why he drinks heavily. Randal
knows the consequences of excessive drinking but yet he follows a different road and decides to
drink as much as he wants to. This is according to the cognitive behavior theory.
A cognitive behavior therapy will greatly assist him in changing his ways and turning
back into a good citizen that he was. This approach puts more emphasis in changing the way a
person thinks or behaves in order to remove the challenges that have set in (Ben Martin, 2018).
The negative effects of heavy drinking can be used to make Randal change this habit as they will
be clearly explained out to him.

Running Head: SOCIAL WORK THEORIES
Question 3
Poverty is the main reason behind Kylie being taken into a child protection residential
unit. According to the radical social work theory, it is very important to offer support and make a
difference in the poverty and inequality levels of a society (Gavin Davidson). This is the reason
as to why Kylie has been taken to a child protection unit. The large number of people in Kylie’s
home makes it very possible for her to get all the social amenities that she requires and only a
child protection centre can offer all this services. By taking care of Kylie, the radical social
theory best fits this study since she has been protected from the problems that are at her home
buy being offered good social amenities.
Anti-oppressive social work theory can also be used to explain the situation that Kylie is
in. This theory basically looks into the oppressions that occur in the community and looks for
suitable means to help the individuals facing this problem. Kylie has constantly been left under
the care of other people and lives in a very crowded house despite her condition. It is only
through this theory that she was able to receive help and taken to a child protection unit.
With the mental problems that are setting in, Kylie needs the assistance of a social worker
in order to fully understand what is taking place. An Evidence based practice is the best approach
to use in convincing her to accept the current situation. This approach will make it very easy to
explain to Kylie why all the steps were taken to give her a better life than the one at home.
Through this approach, a number of interventions that have been well researched on and contain
the selected culture and preferences of the client showing the services offered and how one
should be treated are made available. This approach will allow Kyle to understand the challenges
that her family is facing and accept the opportunity handed over by the child protection
residential unit.

Running Head: SOCIAL WORK THEORIES
Question 4
A cognitive behavior theory can be used to explain the situation that Omar is in. This
theory is about the problems that a person may get into by doing things that are against the
personal beliefs. Omar knows clearly that he has not reported a criminal offence that he was
involved in while twenty years old yet he does not want to pass the information to the authorities.
This has resulted in bigger problems than earlier anticipated and faces the risk of being deported.
Feminist theory can be used to explain the situation that Omar is in. According to
feminist theory, domestic violence comes from a system of government that is controlled by the
men and gives them the ability to control and mange their female partners (Danis, 2003). This
theory best fits the situation that Omar is in as he abused his wife on a regular basis before
settling on another marriage.
A cognitive behavior therapy is the based approach to use in solving all the problems that
Omar is facing. This approach plays a very important role in developing and maintaining the
emotional and behavior responses of a person to real life situations. By changing the way Omar
feels, he can be able to face the Border Force and explain all the issues that he is currently facing
before he may be deported.

Running Head: SOCIAL WORK THEORIES
References
Anderson, D. (2017). War, violence and social justice: theories for social work.
European Journal Of Social Work, 20(4), 608-609. doi:
10.1080/13691457.2017.1345170
Harrison, G. (2014). Social Work Theories and Methods (2nd ed.). Australian Social
Work, 68(1), 149-150. doi: 10.1080/0312407x.2014.921140