Clinical I DB. Week 2
mimo_doll
ClinicalIDBResponses.Week2.docxStudent 1 response. P. Cordero
In Goldstein's article, it gave me perspective how clinical social work is a fairly new profession. It described how clinical social workers had to prove themselves to be accepted by the larger communities as "qualified clinicians" in the 1960s and 1970s. The debate to use terms "clinical" or "psychiatric" to describe the type of social worker was a new concept to me because I did not realize how this term was dissected. In 2019, "clinical social worker" is what I often see being used. Psychiatric social worker, I have not personally seen while being in this field and now I understand why. The Goldstein's article explained that the term "clinical" is defined as being "hands on" and that was what the profession wanted to be viewed as to be accepted by larger communities. In 1976 clinical social began to be more recognized as the NASW created standards for clinical social work. Clinical social work continues to grow and be respected within different communities and I can only imagine where this field will be in another 20 years.
Student 2 response. G. Marcano.
After reading Goldstein’s, “What is clinical social work”, the concept that resonated strongly with me was that of the constant eb and flow of “ People helping” vs “ Changing society”. It seems like the history of social work is a constant push and pull in either direction. Modern social work seems to acknowledge the importance of finding a balance in both. I was unaware that prior to the sixties, case work was based more on Freudian psychoanalytic theory. It makes perfect sense to me, that with the advent of civil rights, feminism and the gay rights movement that there would be some push back to that modality. Freud’s theories centered on penis envy, and not successfully mastering the phallic stage would be considered sexist and homophobic by today’s standards. I can see how a need to look at the effects of society on an individual could begin to be the primary focus of social work. These movements were bringing to light the very real ramifications of racism and oppression.
Soley looking at Social work from a “ Society Changing” point of view brings to question if enough is being done an individual level to assist those that are in need. Looking at the issue through a systems lens, can lead to painting an issue with too broad of a paint brush stroke in a clinician does not place enough focus on the individuals mental health. This is where private practice comes in to address issues on a micro, more personal level. I found it interesting how Psychoanalysis has evolved to focus more on Ego Psychology and Object Relations theory. It seems that the push back on traditional social work created new models, that focus on the individual and their meaningful relationships with the world that they are interacting with. Individualized service in turn can have an affect on “ changing society”. An individual learns how to better function in the world and deal with issues such as oppression and poverty; creating the change that is needed in the world. Social work has to operate on a macro level in order to be effective as well.
NASW’s definition of clinical social workers as being, “ those by education and experience whom were qualified at the autonomous practice level to provide direct, diagnostic, preventative, and treatment services to individuals, families and groups where functioning is threatened or affected by social and psychological stress or impairment”, is the most concise definition of clinical social work practice that I have personally come across to date. I feel that it adequately details the goals of modern social work practices and address both “the people helping” and the “social change” sides of the proverbial coin.
