Theoretical Perspective and Counseling - Case Study Example

Case Study- Theoretical Perspective and Counseling Name Institutional Affiliation Case Study- Theoretical Perspective and Counseling Introduction The family forms the basis of society and is thus an important building block for the society. Throughout man’s history, the structure of the family across different communities has been evolving. Both the modern and early families have been experiencing a wide array of challenges. Changes in the family structure mean that the challenges faced by families have also changed. Since the family forms an important part of the interconnected transactional networks that form the society, the problems and challenges that families face are important to social work practice (Nash, Munford & O'Donoghue, 2005). These challenges include domestic violence and abuse, divorce, communication issues, parenting as well as addiction. Social work theories such as the ecosystems theory attempt to explain the causes of these challenges and how they can be addressed. This paper analyzes the case of Sarah and Craig, applying the ecosystems theory, the psychodynamic theory as well as the choice theory. The Ecosystems Theory and Sarah’s Family Scenario The ecosystems theory has been largely accepted in the social work practice because it offers a framework where the complex transactional networks that make up the society can be understood. The theory views the person as being interconnected to the environment in a multilayered reality. The perspective places conceptual boundaries around the environment and the person (Lishman, 2007). Apart from providing limits, these boundaries also facilitate the definition of the different parameters of practice with groups, communities, families and even individuals. The theory has its origins in the ecology and the general systems theory. Basically, the theory argues that people are exposed to different environments throughout their lives and that these environments may impact our behavior in different ways (Siporin, 1980). The ecological and the systems concepts are the main concepts that underlie the ecosystems theory. An analysis of these two concepts is key to understanding the different environmental factors impacting Sarah’s family. The ecological concepts in the ecosystems perspective relate to the how different organisms relate to each other and how they adapt to the changing conditions in the environment. Nash, Munford & O'Donoghue (2005) point out that the concept of level of fit and the environment is central to the interrelationship and adaptation of the organisms in the environment. The concept of level of fit is concerned with how the personal needs, aspiration and capacities balance and reciprocate with the personal needs, aspiration and capacities. A positive degree of balance and reciprocity means that the level of fit has achieved adaptedness, where the interaction between the personal needs, aspiration and capacities with the resources and expectations facilitate the actualization of both the human and the environmental development (Lishman, 2007). On the other hand, a negative degree of balance may inhibit, frustrate and even damage the development of a person as well as the environment. Stress results when one perceives an imbalance between the environmental demands and their ability to mobilize the necessary resources required to manage the demands. Applying the ecological concept to Sarah’s scenario, it is evident that there is a negative balance and reciprocity between the personal needs, aspiration and capacities and the personal needs, aspiration and capacities. Sarah is stressed since she has perceived this imbalance (Siporin, 1980). The ecosystems perspective views the environment as being multidimensional and made up of various aspects including social, physical and cultural aspects. Additionally, the theory argues that that there are different levels of the environment that may impact an individual. These levels include the perceived environment, the physical environment, the institutional and organizational environment, the social environment as well as the cultural and political environment. The perceived environment consists of the meaning and beliefs as constructed by an individual and the collective system while the social environment consists of the different human relationships, including the family, intimacy as well as neighborhood networks (Nash, Munford & O'Donoghue, 2005). The habitat and niche are important concepts within the ecosystems theory since they help understand how the different levels of the environment impact an individual. A habitat is the location where an individual can be found while a niche is an individual’s status and place within the habitat. A niche can either be enabling or entrapping. An enabling niche has the necessary resources and support to facilitate social belonging, connectivity as well as mobility. On the other hand, an entrapping niche has limited resources, support and an individual in this niche is marginalized. Sarah and family are affected by different challenges at the different levels of the environment. At the perceived environment and social environment levels, the challenges that are evident include domestic violence and abuse, parenting challenges as well as inadequate support from family members. Apart from that, Sarah and her family are also being affected by various factors in the physical environment, including inadequate finances to pay her medical bills as well as the absence of appropriate public transport that would allow her to access domestic violence services together with her children. Sarah and her family are also experiencing challenges at the institutional and organizational environment level. The main factors contributing to these challenges include her eldest son’s tendency to get in trouble at school, inability to access proper medical care, difficulties in accessing domestic violence services as well as inadequate support from the police. The systems concept relate to several other concepts, including circularity, reciprocal influence, structure as well as unpredictability. With reciprocal influence, the systems concept views all parts of a system as having an influence on each other. In Sarah’s case, reciprocal influence in evident in how the functioning and relationships in the family has been impacted by other systems. Craig’s relationship with his family has deteriorated because of the concern about his job security and over-drinking. Circular causality is concerned with the influence of an effect or outcome of its cause. Sarah and her family are clearly in a miserable mood state, which has influenced and is being influenced by a number of factors, including Craig’s situation at his place of work, Craig’s overdrinking, the schooling situation of the family’s eldest son as well as domestic violence and abuse. Structure with the systems concept has to do with the patterns of organization with the system. Each system is part of another bigger system and within each system, we have systems. All the systems are separated by boundaries and when these boundaries become too open or too closed, problems arise. The extent to which the boundaries are open or closed determines the flexibility of the structure. The Ecomap Sarah and her family’s scenario can be presented graphically using an ecomap. The ecomap enables social work practitioners to view different case elements within their boundaries. The tool makes it possible for social workers to go through the complex information related to how the person interacts with the environment. By using the eco-map, we will be able to see how Sarah, as a client, locates herself in relation to the systems that surround her and the nature of her relationship with the different systems. The current ecomap shows the institutions and people that are having an impact on Sarah’s life. Legend Sarah is at the center of the ecomap followed by her immediate family. Sarah shares a positive relationship with all of her children except the eight-year-old Reece, who is getting into trouble in school. As much as the relationship between Craig and Sarah is averse one, Craig has a job and is able to contribute positively to the household’s income. The relationship between Sarah and her friends is a positive one. However, it is because of her staying out late with these friends that enraged Craig. Sarah’s relatives are far away from the household and have not been able to provide any support. The police department has proved to be quite helpful, but Sarah believes that seeking an intervention order against Craig will do no good for her family. The household’s relationship with Reece’s school is jeopardized due Reece’s continued bullying incidents. Sarah is financially constrained, a factor that has contributed to the aversive relationship between her and the doctor. This ecomap will provide important clues on where to start with intervention. Strengths and weakness of the ecosystems theory in understanding client issues For over three decades now, the ecosystems theory has grown and is now universally accepted in social work practice. However, various scholars have come out to point the limitations of utilizing the perspective in understanding and intervening in client issues. According to Nash, Munford & O'Donoghue (2005), the ecosystems theory incorporates the analysis of both the formal and informal networks around the client. They are of the view that the framework incorporates networks such as relationships with groups, individuals, community and the family, thus allowing both the practitioner and the client to get an insight into the different factors that contribute to limit the client’s well-being. Apart from that, analyzing the boundaries between the different client systems makes it possible for social workers to make correct interpretations of healthy relationships and provide clients with advice on setting boundaries in different cultural or social settings (Lishman, 2007). Another strength of utilizing the ecosystems theory is that it allows for the incorporation of many other practical approaches. Additionally, the approach allows practitioners to gain a more comprehensive and unitary perspective that in turn has facilitated of common behavior principles as well as the different properties of systems and subsystems. The model can also be utilized as an assessment tool. Using the approach with clients allows the practitioner to identify the inconsistencies, strengths, conflicts and complementariness associated with the different relationships in different systematic attributes (Siporin, 1980). The ecosystem approach has also been subjected to criticism; with the main limitation according to critics being that the approach makes an assumption that all systems are the same. The approach fails to take into consideration the fact that differences exist between various systems. Another limitation associated with the approach is that it tends to overestimate the rationality of people, especially in organizational contexts (Siporin, 1980). Apart from that, the approach encourages practitioners only to see the big picture while taking little note of minor factors. It has led to an increased generalization in social work practices and the emergence of the ideology that the practitioners need to be experts in different social work fields. Another major limitation of the approach is that it fails to take into consideration the role of subjective experience, thereby making it difficult to deal with values, meaning as well as aspirations. Additionally, the approach is not a practice model, meaning that it does not offer direct guidance on the course of action in a case (Siporin, 1980). The psychodynamic theory and the case scenario The focus of psychodynamic theory is on the unconscious processes and how they present themselves in the current behavior of the client. The approach is based on Freud’s work on psychoanalytic theory and practice (Higdon & Higdon, 2012). The main aim of the approach is to promote the client’s self-awareness and understanding of how past events affect their current behaviors. Utilization of the psychodynamic approach makes it possible for clients to see how unresolved conflicts as well as symptoms that have a basis in previously unsuccessful or dysfunctional relationships currently manifest themselves (Pardeck & Yuen, 2006). The approach has proved to be effective in treating cases of substance abuse as well as personality issues. The theory places great emphasis on the relationship between the client and the counselor. Apart from enabling the clients understand the main causes of their problems, it also enables the client to gain knowledge on how to deal with their current issues as well as any further difficulties (Seden, 2005). In the current case study scenario, the psychodynamic would prove helpful in solving some of the issues that Sarah’s family is facing, including domestic violence and abuse, alcohol abuse on Craig’s part as well as Recee’s tendency to get in trouble at school. The psychodynamic theory is usually utilized in psychodynamic therapies. The main assumption that the approach makes is that most of our emotional and problems can be traced back to our childhood and that past and present experiences usually have subsequent and subconscious effects on our behavior. Psychodynamic therapists believe that supportive counseling enables a client to identify subconscious thoughts that may be contributing to their current problems (Pardeck & Yuen, 2006). The approach has been used in the past to treat successfully and improve various problems such as anger, anxiety as well as depression. Pardeck and Yuen (2006) point out that the approach focuses on the personality, pathology and the insights of a client. The psychodynamic approach usually aims at achieving a diagnostic understanding in which the client and the practitioner identify the problem areas and the relevant personality characteristics. Psychodynamic therapists are able to determine the most appropriate interventions and treatment objectives by combining the internal strengths exhibited by the client and the available resources in the environment (Higdon & Higdon, 2012). In Sarah’s case, identifying her internal strengths, especially those she is unaware off will go a great way in ensuring that she finds a way through which she can survive without her abusive husband while taking care of herself and the kids. Psychodynamic therapy will help improve the availability of the opportunities she needs to live independently and improve both her personal and interpersonal functioning. The psychodynamic perspective also allows the social worker to address both the difficulties faced by the client and the challenges in the environment at the same time (Seden, 2005). Strengths and weakness of the psychodynamic theory in understanding client issues Using the psychodynamic approach as a way of solving client issues has its fair share of strengths and limitations. Starting with the strengths, the approach makes it possible for practitioners to identify other underlying issues such as anxiety and anger that might be contributing to the current problems, and the cause of these issues. Identifying these underlying issues enables the client gain an understanding of the different internal emotions that may be threatening or troubling (Pardeck & Yuen, 2006). Apart from that, the approach also places emphasis on the role of interpersonal and personal relationships. This makes it possible for both the client and the practitioner to identify the impact of such relationships on the issues the client is facing and in coming up with the most effective treatment objectives for the client’s situation (Higdon & Higdon, 2012). One limitation of the approach is that it does not offer remedies some symptoms exhibited by the client, especially if the client is in need of psychopharmacological intervention. Additionally, the approach takes a lot of time for the intervention to bear fruits (Seden, 2005). The choice theory and the case scenario The choice theory states that individuals are motivated by the quest five important needs namely to be powerful, to love and belong, to be free to survive and to have fun. The theory was developed by William Glasser, an American psychiatrist, to explain how the reality therapy works. One of the main ideas that the choice theory presents is that are internally motivated and that people are always behaving in a way that would help them meet the five basic needs (Glasser, 2010). However, failure to behave effectively means that we are often constrained to meet these needs. Utilizing the choice theory with clients goes a great way to help pinpoint the different aspects of the client life that are out of control. In Sarah’s case, it is quite clear that her relationship with her husband is out of control. Her decision to leave her husband is driven by the need to be free, to have fun as well as to win and feel worthwhile. However, she thinks that she won’t be able to lead a fulfilling life without Craig. The feeling that she needs to get back to Craig is driven by the need for love and belonging as well as survival. The choice theory also proposes that individuals have a choice when it comes to deciding on how they have to behave. This simply means that every person is responsible for the choices they eventually make (Glasser, 2010). Another notion that is evident in the choice theory is that people are always obliged to make a comparison between their situation and how they would like their situation to be. In Sarah’s case, she would love her family to get together and her husband to be more supportive and more focused at his place of work. Her quest to keep her family together requires her to carry out a self-evaluation of the choices she has to make. Strengths and weakness of the choice theory in understanding client issues As mentioned earlier, the choice theory is usually applied through the reality therapy. Applying this theory has proved to be quite beneficial to individuals who want to effect change in their behavior as well as their lives. As such, the theory’s strength lies in its ability to help clients identify all the areas that they need to change in order to meet the five basic needs (Glasser, 2001). Apart from that, the approach also places great emphasis on the autonomy of an individual, thereby making it possible for clients to realize how internal factors can influence their well-being. The theory also proposes that every individual is in control of their choices. As such, it encourages clients to make choices that will enable them to meet their needs best. This in turn facilitates the creation of happiness by enabling clients to improve connections and relationships. However, the theory’s main shortcoming is that it fails to take into consideration the chemical or biological causes of psychological problems. Additionally, the approach does not take into consideration the impact that external factors have on an individual’s quest for the five basic needs. Conclusion In conclusion, there are many theories that social work practitioners can use to help clients address the different problems they face. The different theories provide different perspectives on the different issues that individuals, families and communities face. This paper utilized the ecosystems theory, the psychodynamic theory and the choice theory to explain the main challenges faced by Sarah and her family as presented in the case scenario. The ecosystems theory has been largely accepted in the social work practice because it offers a framework where the complex transactional networks that make up the society can be understood. The theory views the person as being interconnected to the environment in a multilayered reality. The focus of psychodynamic theory is on the unconscious processes and how they present themselves in the current behavior of the client. The approach is based on Freud’s work of psychoanalytic theory and practice (Higdon & Higdon, 2012). The main aim of the approach is to promote the client’s self-awareness and understanding of how past events affect their current behaviors. On the other hand, the choice theory states that individuals are motivated by the quest of five important needs, namely, being powerful, to love and belong, to be free to survive and to have fun. The situation in which Sarah and her family find themselves in is driven by environmental factors as well as individual factors inherent in different members of the family. References Glasser, W. (2001). Reality therapy in action. New York: HarperCollins World. Glasser, W. (2010). Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom. New York: HarperCollins. Higdon, J., & Higdon, J. (2012). Psychodynamic theory for therapeutic practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Lishman, J. (2007). Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care: Knowledge and Theory Second Edition. New York: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Nash, M., Munford, R., & O'Donoghue, K. (2005). Social work theories in action. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Pardeck, J., & Yuen, F. (2006). Social work for the twenty-first century. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers. Seden, J. (2005). Counseling skills in social work practice. Maidenhead, Berkshire, England: Open University Press. Siporin, M. (1980). Ecological Systems Theory in Social Work. The Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare, 7(4), 507-517. Read More

The ecological concepts in the ecosystems perspective relate to the how different organisms relate to each other and how they adapt to the changing conditions in the environment. Nash, Munford & O'Donoghue (2005) point out that the concept of level of fit and the environment is central to the interrelationship and adaptation of the organisms in the environment. The concept of level of fit is concerned with how the personal needs, aspiration and capacities balance and reciprocate with the personal needs, aspiration and capacities.

A positive degree of balance and reciprocity means that the level of fit has achieved adaptedness, where the interaction between the personal needs, aspiration and capacities with the resources and expectations facilitate the actualization of both the human and the environmental development (Lishman, 2007). On the other hand, a negative degree of balance may inhibit, frustrate and even damage the development of a person as well as the environment. Stress results when one perceives an imbalance between the environmental demands and their ability to mobilize the necessary resources required to manage the demands.

Applying the ecological concept to Sarah’s scenario, it is evident that there is a negative balance and reciprocity between the personal needs, aspiration and capacities and the personal needs, aspiration and capacities. Sarah is stressed since she has perceived this imbalance (Siporin, 1980). The ecosystems perspective views the environment as being multidimensional and made up of various aspects including social, physical and cultural aspects. Additionally, the theory argues that that there are different levels of the environment that may impact an individual.

These levels include the perceived environment, the physical environment, the institutional and organizational environment, the social environment as well as the cultural and political environment. The perceived environment consists of the meaning and beliefs as constructed by an individual and the collective system while the social environment consists of the different human relationships, including the family, intimacy as well as neighborhood networks (Nash, Munford & O'Donoghue, 2005).

The habitat and niche are important concepts within the ecosystems theory since they help understand how the different levels of the environment impact an individual. A habitat is the location where an individual can be found while a niche is an individual’s status and place within the habitat. A niche can either be enabling or entrapping. An enabling niche has the necessary resources and support to facilitate social belonging, connectivity as well as mobility. On the other hand, an entrapping niche has limited resources, support and an individual in this niche is marginalized.

Sarah and family are affected by different challenges at the different levels of the environment. At the perceived environment and social environment levels, the challenges that are evident include domestic violence and abuse, parenting challenges as well as inadequate support from family members. Apart from that, Sarah and her family are also being affected by various factors in the physical environment, including inadequate finances to pay her medical bills as well as the absence of appropriate public transport that would allow her to access domestic violence services together with her children.

Sarah and her family are also experiencing challenges at the institutional and organizational environment level. The main factors contributing to these challenges include her eldest son’s tendency to get in trouble at school, inability to access proper medical care, difficulties in accessing domestic violence services as well as inadequate support from the police. The systems concept relate to several other concepts, including circularity, reciprocal influence, structure as well as unpredictability.

With reciprocal influence, the systems concept views all parts of a system as having an influence on each other.

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