ABSTRACT
This chapter develops the theme of the social work frame of reference. This framework in the social worker's mind is an essential part of the social work situation that the client can potentially sense, and take in. The chapter proposes that an important part of the social work frame of reference is agency function. It discusses a common misconception that psychodynamic principles are thought to mean imitating the psychotherapist. Discussion then returns to the two case examples, for the way that they illustrate the logic and specificity of the basic social work frame of reference. The chapter illustrates some work in which the social work frame of reference had, at least temporarily, gone missing, and it illustrates the effect of that on the clients. It concludes that absence or distortion of the frame of reference prevents or impedes the establishment of a viable social work process.
