Clinical and Macro Terms

Countertransference

A set of conscious or unconscious emotional reactions to a client experienced by a therapist;

These feelings usually originate in the therapist's own developmental conflicts or past.

Good first step is to seek supervision not just colleague consultation

Transference

the emotional reactions that are assigned to current relationships but originated in earlier experiences

Dual diagnosis

the occurrence of coexistent diagnosis within an individual

most common with substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders

Dual relationship

having a second role with the client in addition to the client therapist relationship

Ego Syntonic

Traits of personality, thought, behavior, and values that are incorporated by the individual who considers them acceptable and consistent with his or her overall "true" self.

Ego Dystonic

Traits of personality, behavior, thought, or orientation considered to be unacceptable, repugnant, or inconsistent with the individual's perceptions—conscious or unconscious—of himself or herself.

Empathy

a therapeutic technique in which the social worker communicates to a client that they perceive and understand the experiences, emotional state, and ideas of their client

Empowerment model

This model utilizes interventions that help people achieve a sense of control in their lives by using a client's strengths, resources, and resilience.

It aims to reduce powerlessness created by social and political environments that oppress.

Evidence based practice

This combines the social workers clinical experience, code of ethics, and client preferences with well-researched interventions to guide the the treatment and services a client receives to achieve all of their therapeutic goals

Informed consent

the process of a client granting permission to engage in treatment after receiving information about treatment including potential risks and benefits

Self-determination

an ethical principal of social work that allows clients to make their own choices about their treatment and their lives

reflective listening

when using reflection the social worker is accurately describing the clients verbal and nonverbal clues, listening and responding to not just the content but the feelings of the client.

reframing

a technique used to help clients see their situation in a new light from a different perspective they haven't thought of

interpretation

the therapists clinical impression of the meaning behind a behavior/communication. Goes beyond the the explicit and observable client content and involves communicating an inferred component with the intention of adding new knowledge understanding or meaning

Summary

Condensing the main points of what the client is saying or feeling in a session. Gives the client an opportunity to recap key points of the session before it ends.

Confrontation

Addressing and bringing awareness to something the client may be overlooking, avoiding or denying, we would not confront the client until rapport is built.

Clarification

this is used when the client makes a vague or ambiguous statement in order to understand what they mean.

Probing question

these are questions the social worker asks to help the client dig deeper into their thoughts feeling and opinions. this process can promote critical thinking and self reflection

Social justice

a social work ethical principle that involves working toward everyone having the same economic political and social rights protections and opportunities

Board of directors

committee responsible for significant decisions and direction within an organization

Capacity building

The process of improving an individual or organization's abilities, skills, processes, and resources in order to expand, grow, and fulfill its mission.

coalition

brings together people/groups/political parties that join their resources and manpower to work towards a specific change that individually they would be unable to achieve.

task force

any group or organization that is assembled for or assigned to complete a specific task

community organizing

involves engaging with and empowering members of a community to address a common problem and bring about positive change within the community

program development

involves the planning and development and execution of a new program or service to meet an unmet need

program evaluation

evaluates a programs effectiveness

policy analysis

The evaluation of a policy to understand what led to the creation and implementation of the policy and how it will impact various people and communities.

focus group

gather together a small group of people to gather opinions ideas and beliefs on a particular subject

feasibility study

The process of assessing an agency or organization's ability to carry out a particular task.

social security administration

an independent agency of the US federal govt that administers social security including retirement, disability and survivor benefits