Clinical Social Work Case Study

It can be argued that the DSM in clinical social work can undermine the mission of social work as it pathologies everyday behaviors as a disorder, thereby causing harm to the individual who is being assessed. The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics states that the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well–being and help meet the basic human needs of people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty (NASW). The DSM can be viewed as undermining this code and can influence us in how we perceive our troubles and how we define problems. Therefore, it could compromise human well-being by labeling problems in society, communities

These conflicting paradigms have a rich history in the development of the DSM. The struggle between the strengths based perspective and the medical model continue to be at arms. Both paradigms have significance as they can influence one’s view of all behaviors and have a profound effect on how services are provided (Graybeal, 2001). The tension between the dominate paradigm at times is avoided due to the threatening consequences of addressing it. The demands of the field often do not allow for energy nor the time to truly address the issues. It should be noted that the DSM and the medical model due hold value. Abandoning the DSM would be inappropriate as we all are aware that many mental health diagnoses are very real. In order to create strength based assessments one must use not only the medical model but a holistic understanding of human behavior (Weick, 1986). The fundamental premise is that individuals will do better in the long run when they are helped to identify, recognize, and use the strengths and resources available in themselves and their environment (Graybeal, 2001). The strengths perspective is a problem focused approach, arguing that, to be true to the value base of the profession, we need to begin by recognizing people’s capacities and the potential of their circumstances (Finn, Jacobson, 2008). The basic premise of the strength based model is that clients have many strengths, and client

The DSM only focuses on the present symptoms associated with clinically significant impairment or distress. This tool does not assess the strength’s, skills and abilities of the individual and environment to which they live. The DSM fails to consider that individuals are more successful when they are helped to recognize their strengths and the resources available to them. Transforming the DSM is no easy task as the medical model requires a diagnosis in order to gain reimbursement for services. There needs to be an integration between the medical field and social services. Social workers need to hold positions in the medical hierarchy. The medical model needs to acknowledge the association between psychosocial factors and physical well-being and clients need to be seen as contextual and part of a larger process. The DSM should take in account that the difference between identity, attribute and behavior (Graybeal, 2001). The DSM describes only the negative aspects of a client’s life and does not support human strength and resilience. Without a more balanced approach clinicians run the risk of focusing primarily negative attributes, categorizing a client as unidimensional (Lopez, 2006). Conceptualizing individuals based on wellbeing and positive function (glass half full), empowers the client to capture their