An Analysis of Social Work Theories and Practices Essay

This essay delves into the realm of social work theories and their practical applications. It explores various theories, including conflict theory, development theory, family life cycle theory, and psychosocial development theory, highlighting their roles in addressing social inequalities, managing conflicts, and supporting clients facing diverse challenges such as homelessness, disabilities, and mental health issues. The essay examines different practice models, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), task-centered practice, and solution-focused therapy, emphasizing their effectiveness in addressing mental health issues, behavioral challenges, and crises. Furthermore, the essay emphasizes the significance of ethical considerations in social work and reflects on the interrelationship between theory and practice, emphasizing CBT as a valuable tool for personal and professional development. The essay concludes by underscoring the importance of both theories and practices in promoting the well-being of individuals and societies, as well as the need for continuous improvement in social work processes.

2/26/2020
Running Head: SOCIAL WORK THEORIES 0
Social Work Theories
Essay
Student name

SOCIAL WORK THEORIES 1
Social work theories
Many social workers have used Social Work Theories (SWT). It has used for
managing different practical works in the workplace. in addition, social workers have faced
various challenges in their work including gender, age, ethnicity, social inequalities, and
disability. Besides, social work theories provide knowledge to handle challenges in the
workplace (Gilbert, 2019). this essay will discuss about the inter-relationship of social work
practice and social work theories. This essay will explain about the role of ethics in social
work. It will provide a reflection on the social work theories and practice (Thompson & van
Vliet, 2018).
In addition, social work theories are helpful in identify gaps and intervene. It is
helpful in the troubleshoot behaviour between social workers and clients as well. There are
different types of theories are available for managing conflicts, which are conflict theory,
systems theory, transpersonal theory, psychosocial development theory, psychodynamic
theory, development theory, social learning theory, family life cycle theory, humanistic
theory, and more (Matteo & Floridi, 2009).
Moreover, there are some basic practice models for social works, which are cognitive
behavioural therapy, task-centered practice, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, and
crisis intervention model. In addition, conflict theory has described about all societies, which
are inherently unequal. Thus, it makes a huge impact on people’s lives. It is related to the
inequality of people, which is a huge issue in front of social workers. Besides, social workers
describe these asymmetric power relationships using inequality of symptoms and sources
(PMI, 2019).
Development theory is related to the collection of ideas, which are helpful in the
advancement of societies towards positive change. Moreover, it will provide help in
economic development as well as others. It is helpful in the development of equality from
modernization. It is a good theory to support social work clients including homeless,
disabled, elderly people, and many more (Thompson & van Vliet, 2018).
Moreover, family life cycle theory has focused on the changes in the family dynamics
and individual. In addition, this theory has included parenting, marriage, children, and senior.
It has focused on the transition from adult child to parent. Besides, social workers help in the
transition as well as crises in life. Moreover, grounded theory is helpful in the data collection,

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categorizing, and assessing data. Additionally, the humanistic theory has used for the
personal development of individuals and others (Tomar, 2020).
In addition, the psychodynamic theory has used for managing conscious and
unconscious conditions in individual behaviour. Moreover, it is helpful in the dysfunction
especially. In the present era, there are many reasons for anxiety and depressions. Moreover,
individuals can use this concept for managing their personal thoughts and practices
(DesJardins, 2014). There are many processes that can be managed using these theories and
practices. Apart from it, psychosocial development theory has used for the development of a
person between different stages of life to handle different type of crisis in life (Pearson, Ron,
2017).
Besides, it is helpful in the evolution of fairness and value of their personal
relationship, which is based on the costs and rewards. However, system theory has used for
managing both human-made and natural systems. Moreover, transpersonal theory concerns
about the psychology, which is related to transcendent and spiritual aspects of the human
experience. It is helpful in reducing various conflicts between people because of egos and
other obstacles (Thompson & van Vliet, 2018).
In addition, basic processes can be used for practice in social work. In addition,
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has used for helping individuals, who have faced
challenges with their behaviour because of personal, professional, and social. CBT has used
as a treatment for mental health issues, mental illness, as well as dealing with crises or
trauma. In addition, solution-focused therapy has used for the strengths of a person to help
the client to confront issues and challenges in life. Social justice is necessary for those
people, which are suffered from different types of issues because of personal and professional
life (Wright, 2011).
I learned that social work theories and practices have used for managing different
types of crises and conflicts in life. Moreover, social clients have faced various challenges in
their work and practice. In addition, social work theories concern about solutions to various
problems in, particularly critical situations. I learned that CBT is a better social work practice
for reducing various challenges in a person's life, such as mental health and other behavioural
issues. In addition, basic processes have used for handling crisis in life, as it is related to the
personal and professional development of a person. CBT and other practices models have

SOCIAL WORK THEORIES 3
used for managing different processes in life. Social work theories have implemented to
manage all the processes (Matteo & Floridi, 2009).
Besides, I learned that psychological theories concern about social development as
well as professional development. Family life cycle theory has applied in the case of most of
the people. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the basic processes of life (Tomar, 2020).
Moreover, basic processes can be managed using different types of issues in personal
development. All the mental health issues can be solved using CBT and other approaches,
which are suitable and ethical as well. However, the practice requires better outcomes, which
is a basic need of clients and social workers as well (Tomar, 2020).
In conclusion, social work theories have used for managing various conflicts and
crises in the life of people. This essay has provided details about the social work theories and
social work practice models. Both theories and practices are interlinked with each other.
Thus, CBT can be used for the betterment of a person’s mental health as well as others.
Moreover, the task-cantered model has used for reducing crises in the different stages of life.
Besides, practice therapy has used for improving the mental health of people, which is
necessary for their growth in the future as well (Tomar, 2020).

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References
DesJardins, J. (2014). An introduction to business ethics. (4 ed.). New york:
McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Gilbert, N. (2019, November 13). The 6 Social Work Theories That Inform Social Work
Practice. Retrieved from www.noodle.com: https://www.noodle.com/articles/the-6-
social-work-theories-that-inform-social-work-practice
Matteo, T., & Floridi, L. (2009). The ethics of information transparency. Ethics and
Information Technology, 11(2), 105-112.
Pearson, Ron. (2017). Business ethics as communication ethics: Public relations practice and
the idea of dialogue. In Public relations theory. London: Routledge.
PMI. (2019). Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Retrieved from http://www.pmi.org:
http://www.pmi.org/About-Us/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics.aspx
Thompson, K., & van Vliet, P. (2018). Critical reflection on the ethics of mindfulness.
Australian social work, 71(1), 120-128.
Tomar, D. (2020). 12 Common Social Work Theories…and 5 Major Practice Models—Study
Starters. Retrieved from https://thebestschools.org:
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/common-social-work-theories-and-practice-
models/
Wright, D. (2011). A framework for the ethical impact assessment of information technology.
Ethics and information technology, 13(3), 199-226.