Comparison and Contrast Two Social Work Theory: Task Centered Practice and Crisis Intervention - Term Paper Example

COMPARE AND CONTRAST TWO SOCIAL WORK THEORY: Task Centered practice and Crisis Intervention       The essay will discuss the Task Centered practice and Crisis Intervention approaches by making comparison and contrasts between the two. Task centered practice and Crisis intervention - both these models have become highly effective tools in the hands of the social workers when it comes to identification of the client’s problem and act accordingly to solve those problems. Addressing the first scenario of the Richmond children’s indiscipline behavior, the paper will discuss the possible approaches and compare them with respect to the case. The task centered model allows both the social worker and the service user to act according to solve certain problems that have already been identified. In this case both the client (service user) and the social worker depend over another mutually to cite for the solution of the identified range of problems. Task centered practice is referred as a brief therapy or work on contractual basis, which laid remarkable influence on the practice of social work as well as the organization of the relevant services. (Coulshed and Orme, 2006) When it comes to the effectiveness of the model, great sociologists like, Reid, Epstein and Brown have clearly expressed their opinion that in the context of sociological application, tasks are like the guiding avenues though which a social worker actually identifies the problem or problems that the client is facing and help him to develop the set of skill, which would help him to undertake the right actions for solving the problems. However, there are five phases to the task centered practice model, and in order to receive the optimum result, the social worker needs to undergo all these five steps along with the client. (Healy, 2005)       The first phase of the model is known as the identification or definition of the target problems. Unless a social worker in the context of his assignment cannot identify the problems of the client that require to be solved, then it would lead to sheer wastage of time. At the same time he will be making the situation worse for the client. Thus it is the matter of highest importance that a worker must give priority to the view point of the service user. (Healy, 2005) However, under several situations the viewpoints of the worker along with the associated compulsions form outside (e.g. courts) need to be considered (Healy, 2005) It is quite normal that the level of perception of the situation or outlook of both client and the service provider will be different. If, the service provider attempts to persuade the service user desperately, then it will not be possible for him to receive complete support from the client. Support from the client is important as the assignment will not be solved unless both the client and the service provider are coming under mutual consent of supporting one another. Thus, in the first stage, the worker has to look at the situation from the client’s perspective and though his insight he has to identify the situation.       The next step is contracting, where the worker will inform the client about his identification of the problem and at the same time the client will finally confirm if his identification has been correct or not. The third step is known as the problem solving implementation where both the client and the worker will cooperate with each other to solve the problem. In this context it is expected that the client will follow the worker’s suggestions as well as work accordingly. This period is very crucial as both the client and the service provider chalk out a set of program so that it can solve the areas of problem generation. These sets can be observed as certain steps that would lead both of them to the end of the problem but if one strep is missed or faltered due to any reason then it again becomes very tough get back the same favorable situation. Not only that, there is a high chance that both the worker and the client would lose their mutual dependence over the other. The last session is Termination. It has been frequently reflected by sociologists that a well-planned termination of intervention is integral to the overall structure of the task-centered approach. It has been a common belief among task-centered practitioners that a clear and looming deadline is vital for concentrating worker and service user efforts on change. Recall that believe that for this reason, task-centered practitioners are cautious about the extension of intervention beyond the agreed contract between worker and user; any such extensions should be strictly time-limited and focused. (Healy, 2005)       Since the 1960s aftermath, in the field of sociological works the Crisis Intervention model has become popular. In the current social condition of sociological cultivation it has been observed that the methods of crisis intervention are under wide use. Crisis has been defined by Howard Parad and Naomi Golan as certain occurrences that stop a person from visualizing his distant goals of life and it also seems to him that mere efforts to solve the problems will not add any benefit to the whole situation. These kind of psychological developments are mostly observed in case of children who are undergoing the transition phase of their life. In addition to this if a person suddenly becomes jobless or if someone is suffering for a long time from some sort of serious illness then such psychologically critical situations develop. Both the models, task centered practice and crisis intervention are quite similar to each other as both these models aim at providing long term solution to the client so that they can solve the problems within a limited period of time. However, both these models differ from each other from their respective inclination towards psychology of a person. The crisis intervention model is more inclined towards the psychodynamic structure of human nature and depending over that a social worker sorts out the factors that have generated the problem for the client and also attempts to solve it from psychological perspective.       Now, let us see that in case of the given scenarios, how far the models of the task centric practice and crisis intervention are relevant and can solve the problem for the affected people. The first case, which is the main focus of analysis, we are introduced to such a household, the appearance of which clearly states that the whole family is suffering due to poverty. However, it is also evident from the haphazard maintenance of house that the Richmond couples have developed a kind of reluctance towards making the situation any better neither for their children nor for themselves also. Two factors are important in this context and they also demand considerable focus, that despite being at their mid 30s both of them are unemployed, living of state benefits and they have developed the drug addiction. As soon as a social worker is assigned to deal with such a client a discriminatory approach automatically develops. It is always tough for the social worker to properly persuade a client who is of such indifferent nature and naturally feels that children must learn all sorts of tough situation in life form the very beginning. As the social worker has sufficient power and capacity to influence, there a change that he would develop a discriminatory approach to the client due to his inhuman mentality. To avoid such situation he/she must always provide highest priority to his assignment and must not be conscious about the powers or the opportunities that are there in his reach. (Thompson, 2006) Looking at the behaviorist approach of Jo it is clear that the children have not been provided with basic level of ethical education or the norms of mixing up in the society. They have also been mentally aggravated as they are frequently battered by their parents. The Children Act, 1989, which is aimed at promotion of the child’s welfare has clearly laid down under section 3 (1) that, parental responsibility, according to the Act indicates that entire rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority possessed by a parent in accordance with the law owing to his or her relation with the child and his property. (Children Act 1989, 1989 Chapter 41) In case of Richmond family we see that the aspect of parental responsibility has not been fulfilled by either of the parents.       Once the social worker has identified problems of the Richmond couple, he will prescribe both of them with certain suggestions. One of the most important steps could have been to engage both of them in some kind of constructive work so that they gain back the confidence that they can work hard and at the same time they still have the capacity to think well about their family. Both the financial crisis and psychological problem have made the situation worse for the Richmond couple and it seems that due to their futile fight to earn a good amount of fortune, they have developed such physiological indifference to all the aspects of their life. Once the path of earning is opened for both of them, they will be able to gain back the confidence and slowly it will lead them to the development of their increasing confidence level that they are still capable of making a difference in their life as well as make the lives of their children better.       If condition of the Richmond couples is interpreted from the Crisis Intervention perspective then the first task of the social worker would be to pounder over the their psychological condition as well as of the children. We see that both Jo and Dan are at the early stages of problematic psyche. While Dan likes isolation, Jo is violent in his behaviorist approaches. The way both these kids are treated at their house, shows that they do not enjoy any scope of enjoying the spontaneity of childhood. They are only an avenue for the execution of their parents’ anger and frustration. No importance is provided to their individual desires or decisions. If a child is not allowed to make independent decisions, he/she tends to develop guilt over taking initiative, and will refrain from taking an active stance and allow others to choose for him/her. (Kovel, 1991) Looking at the problem of both these children from the perspective of crisis intervention, which is often confused with crisis work it seems that they are actually interpreting the whole world in terms of the approach or the reaction that they have received from their parents. (Trevithick, 2005) These are early traits that show both these children, as they will grow up will suffer from major psychological crisis and at the same time they will also develop certain behavioral traits that will be considered to be violating the social norms. Only proper care and parental support can solve this problem. Thus, it is a matter of primary importance that a social worker sorts out the problems of the Richmond couples, so that they can take proper care of the household and their children.       In the conclusion it can be said that both these procedures complement each other, as in the postmodern scenario planning of sociological care is greatly dependent over the psychological aspect. A social worker needs to ponder over the psychological state and requirement of the client and aftermath he/she must plan the task or the aspects that will be assigned to the client. However, despite all these procedural matter empathy is the most important issue and social worker must emphasize with the condition of the client, irrespective of all the elements of discrimination. Love, affection and mutual cooperation are the three essential elements that a social worker must reflect from his/her approach to the client in this case, no matter how challenging or hostile the condition is.  Works Cited: 1. Trevithick, Pamela, 2005, Social work skills: a practice handbook, Michigan: Open University Press 2. Orme, Joan and Coulshed, Veronica, 2006, Social Work Practice, New York: Palgrave Macmillan 3. Kovel, Joel. 1991, A complete Guide to Therapy, London: Penguin Books 4. Children Act 1989, 1989 Chapter 41, available at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1989/ukpga_19890041_en_1#Legislation-Preamble, retrieved on: 23rd May, 2009 5. Healy, Karen, 2005, Social Work Theories in Context: Creating Frameworks for Practice, New York: Palgrave Macmillan 6. Thompson, Neil, 2006, Anti-discriminatory practice, New York: Palgrave Macmillan Read More