The Pros And Cons Of Micro Practice Of Social Work

646 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Strengths and weaknesses of the social work profession

The practice of Social Work is made up of a variety of systems which organizes the setting for either an individual, small group or a combination of both individual and small group. Furthermore, the setting of micro, working with an individual, and mezzo, working with a small group will be further discussed along with the benefits and challenges of working with each setting. Ultimately, the discussion of which setting will suit this future social worker will also, be discussed. Micro practice is a system which consists of working with an individual. For example, the micro system targets, “personality, emotion, beliefs, behavior, interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses that make a person unique (Kirst-Ashman, 2014, p. 24).” Furthermore, this type of system creates a …show more content…

Furthermore, this sense of comfort will allow flexibility during the session which is beneficial for the client. Therefore, the client may become empowered due to the flexibility and easy flow of the session since, the setting is friendly, warm, and inviting.
However, micro practice does have some disadvantages such as the social worker not able to view the big picture. For instance, an individual is a member of a multitude of communities such as employment community, residential neighborhood community, a religious community, and other communities as well. So, if the social worker’s primary focus is the individual and not the client’s environment most problems will not be understood hence, the missing puzzle pieces.
Still, an alternative practice is that of mezzo practice which is where a family or small group is the prime target. Additionally, mezzo practice not only constitutes a family or small group it also, focuses on empowering groups and promoting change within their environment. In addition, mezzo practice is community based oriented which broadens the spectrum as opposed to micro

Show More
Related

  • Social Work Case Analysis: The Sanchez Family

    736 Words  | 2 Pages

    The person-in-environment approach views a client’s problems by how they react to the environmental contexts within their environment and how they occur. According to Gordon and Richmond, it has been stated that the person-in-environment approach is the “cornerstone” of social work practice. (as cited in Rogers, 2016, p.24). A clients’ systems are the interrelated aspects of a clients’ lives where all parts come together to function. Social workers utilize and focus on a clients’ systems when applying the person-in-environment. A clients’ system is anything that they interact with and hold roles in their lives. These systems can be on a micro level which is the individual and their biology, personality, and genetics. The individuals’ mezzo level would include their immediate environment, family, school, friends, or work. A macro level would include the larger social aspects of a clients’ life such as government policies, discrimination, oppression, or social class. Social workers incorporate these interactions and how they impact clients’ and their presenting problems. This theory and approach are beneficial as it allows a social worker to find out what resources are available to the client during their time with the worker (Rodgers,

    Read More

  • Film Analysis of Flight

    1500 Words  | 3 Pages

    Practice: Purpose, Principles, and Applications in a Climate of System’s Integration. In Saleebey, D. (Ed.), The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice. Fourth Ed. 171-196. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

    Read More

  • Macro Social Work Case Study

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    These careers fall into the category of “Micro” social work and they involve face-to-face contact with clients experiencing socio-emotional difficulties. However, that is not all you can do with a degree in social work, which many students are not aware of. I agree with Rothman that the landscape of social work is changing. With the economic roller coaster, micro social workers need to advocate for themselves and their jobs on a community level. They may see emerging trends with their clients or barriers to services that need to be resolved by the state or local government. Macro social workers need to understand how social work practice influences the issues they are championing as lobbyists and government agents. At the end of the day, social workers serve people and all of its levels of practice are important. To recalibrate the imbalance between micro and macro social work, I believe that macro policies and standards should be strengthened; macro faculty and the field instructors should teach more and share their experiences with students, more promotion and public support of macro leaders and practitioners and develop a unifying curriculum for both micro and macro

    Read More

  • Social Force Field Analysis

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    E., Kettner, P. M, McMurtry, S. L., &; Thomas, M. L. (2011). Social Work Macro Practice (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

    Read More

  • What Is Mental Health As A Social Justice Issue?

    1266 Words  | 3 Pages

    First off, clinical social workers work one-on-one with individuals by utilizing psychosocial casework to improve their client’s lives. Social workers at the micro level typically provide case management by coordinating and monitoring services, developing a treatment plan, advocating for new services, providing psychoeducation, and by helping clients learn more about their specific disorder (Marx). They also provide psychotherapy through three major therapeutic approaches- psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic (Marx). When it comes to the mezzo level social worker work with groups and families. They may initiate therapy groups, support groups, psychoeducational groups, and socialization groups all in order to uplift their clients about their mental disorder (Marx). On top of that, social workers also offer family therapy with the goal of helping families learn and function effectively by meeting the needs of a family member with a mental illness (Marx). Finally, social workers also work on a macro level through advocacy and policy changes, and in an administrative setting. Through advocacy, social workers may lobby for policy changes on a local, state, or national level in order to promote positive

    Read More

  • Professional Identity Social Work

    855 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social workers play a major role in health services; a person can be injured or mentally ill, as health and wellbeing relates to both physical and emotional. In this case a person would need someone to speak to about their feeling as much as they need someone who can address their disease, illness or injury. Labelling the communities aspect is very significant to a successful wellbeing and protection of the general health of patients and the society. According to the research that was done ‘…it is the social and economic conditions that make people ill and in need of medical care in the first place that are more important determinants of the health of the population’ (Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003, cited in Adhikari, 2012, p. 1). The wide executive understanding and comprehension of social workers according to the tests and expolation that was done, the ability, and handling the circumstance with a great attention of the “...range of physical, emotional and environmental factor that have an effect on the wellbeing of individuals and communities’ (NASW, 2005, p. 6), “provides an important and holistic dimension to the health care arena” (Beddoe, 2013). Social workers among the health system have two main focus; they’re involved with individuals who are going through a lot of physical, emotional and situational difficulties or crisis that maybe for short term or ongoing long term; and by partaking with those clients or purchasers they help the person who is in health care to make they’re recovery possible

    Read More

  • Social Work Theory

    1008 Words  | 3 Pages

    Social Workers are very important to everyday life. They are the ones that help people in need when they have nobody else to turn too. Also, they provide resources and better understanding of predicaments that you could be experiencing. I will reflect on how the class has affected me, my own experiences and how some theories have connected to my life experiences, and lastly, if the class helped toward my major. This class is important for someone that wants to become a social worker and wants to learn about the different theories used. Also, learning about me during this process of completing this class is fun and a way to see if the social work profession is right for me. There was many theories explained throughout this class but many will not be said because it wasn’t the main points that I was trying to get across. There are two tools that are used that can help a social worker organize a client’s life: Bubble map and Briefcase exercise. There are so many different ways a social worker can help a client deal with their problems and come up with a solution. It is up to that social worker to identify the client’s problem and see what theory fits.

    Read More

  • Values & Ethics in Social Work

    1288 Words  | 3 Pages

    Wilson, K. et. al., 2011. Social Work ' Introduction to Contemporary Practice'. 2nd ed. Essex, England.: Pearson Education Ltd .

    Read More

  • Social Worker Intervention Plan

    1785 Words  | 4 Pages

    A social worker must have the knowledge and skills to apply to intervention strategies that can address key issues through a wide range of tools (Miley, O’Melia & Dubois 2013, p. 7). To devise an intervention plan for the case study, Miley’s (2013, p. 112) four step model is utilised.

    Read More

  • Direct Practice

    590 Words  | 2 Pages

    I believe that direct practice, or micro social work is more reactive where macro social/indirect practice work can be more proactive. Direct practice can help professionals understand specific problems and how the system is affecting how clients deal with or help with these issues. Indirect practice in social work is important for solving contemporary social problems such as

    Read More

  • Micro Social Workers Helping the Disabled

    635 Words  | 2 Pages

    Micro social work is the most common form of social work and the social worker engages with individuals or families to solve problems. Social workers on the micro level that work with those that have disabilities do several different things. Social workers often provide beneficial information to individuals that have disabilities about federal benefits that they are entitled too. Social workers can also help individuals apply for social security, family assistance program, prescription program and other programs that certain states have. Social workers can educate parents on benefits that children such as an Individualized Education plan, and accommodations and support for the classroom. Social workers can help parents advocate for their children to get the help that they need in the classroom. Social works on the micro level can help to ensure the rights of people with disabilities when it comes to housing, employment, education and other factors. Social workers ensure that their clients understand their rights and that they are being treated fair.

    Read More

  • Strengths And Weaknesses Of Social Work

    1420 Words  | 3 Pages

    Strengths and Limitations of Social Work Practice in Colombia: A View from Canadian Social Work

    Read More

  • The Role of the Social Worker Helps Clients Improve Their Social Functioning

    1792 Words  | 4 Pages

    Social Work is a discipline that can be a very rewarding experience for both the worker and the client. The practice involves working with individuals, families, or groups who are struggling to cope with lifes challenges. The social worker must combine his or her personal qualities, creative abilities, and social concerns with the professional knowledge in order to help the client’s social functioning or prevent social problems from developing (Bradford W. Sheafor, 2008, p. 34). Social work practice seeks to promote human well-being, while addressing the processes by which individuals and groups are marginalized or diminished in their capacity to participate as citizens (Ian O'Connor, 2006, p. 1). There are many different perspectives and approaches reviewed by the practitioner to determine a suitable approach towards intervention.

    Read More

  • Financial Social Work: My Definition Of Financial Social Work

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mezzo social work involves the development of social services initiatives at the local and small to medium organizations levels. Mezzo social work tends to interact directly with the people they wish to assist. However, instead of engaging in individual counseling and support, mezzo social workers administer help to groups of people at a time. For example a financial social worker can go into to a local organization and provide awareness to the group of people about financial social work, what it is, how it may apply to them and what they can do to change or prevent a financial behavior change. Last but not least we have the macro system. The practice of macro social work is the effort to help clients by intervening in large systems. Macro social workers typically do not provide individual help or other assistance to clients; they may interact directly with the populations they wish to serve when conducting interviews during their research of certain social problems. Financial social work would apply in this system when the researcher needs to find out information about that community. Such as, whether the community needs the information about financial social work, are there people in this community that are having a financial problem, if so how many things of that sort. All three systems can be applied to financial social work in many different ways and can be efficient to the

    Read More

  • Social Work Personal Statement

    1152 Words  | 3 Pages

    From a young age because of my compassion and empathetic nature, I knew that I wanted to work inside the human service field. I wanted to use my personal characteristics to improve individual’s lives. Social work was my calling because of the many different areas in the field that are all primarily focused on making a difference. I am interested in clinical social work, working with individuals and families. Other helping sciences like psychology offers clinical groundwork. However, I knew social work would be a better fit because of its focus and influence of persons-in environment perspective opposed to the more individualized psychological perspective.

    Read More

More about The Pros And Cons Of Micro Practice Of Social Work

Open Document