This foundation course teaches the clinical skills needed at various stages of the helping process (i.e., engagement, assessment, goal-setting and treatment planning, intervention and termination), whether the client is an individual, group, or family. Clinical methods are highlighted--what the social worker purposefully does as s/he works with individual clients and larger systems (e.g., groups, families, and communities) and how the social worker reacts and interacts in the helping relationship. The helping relationship is seen as requiring collaboration between clinician and client and the strategic use of clinical skills (e.g., strengthening rapport, assessing needs and strengths, reaching for feelings, identifying goals and expectations, setting limits) throughout the process. The helping relationship is also based on sound social work values and ethics, positive regard for the full range of human diversity, and dedication to social and economic justice. While the course emphasizes ways that clinicians can help clients accomplish goals, it also emphasizes the value of the helping relationship as a vehicle for client growth. Because a major hallmark of effective social work practice is the ability to reflect on one's interactions with individual clients and larger client systems, this course highlights the need to develop the capacity for professional self-reflection (i.e., the ability to observe and critique one's actions in relation to clients, supervisors, and colleagues and the integration of personal and professional "selves"). Core concepts of individual, family, and group intervention, case management, short-term work, and crisis intervention are introduced. Individual methods focus on developing and maintaining the helping relationship. Family methods focus on joining with the family as an entire system when multiple members are available, or when only an individual is available, intervening with the individual while considering influences and implications for the family system. Group work methods concentrate on group types, group formation, and group development.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the Student Link for the most up-to-date course information.