ABSTRACT

Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledges, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing’. As a broad set of guiding principles that centre on the quality of professionals’ relationships, it is no surprise to find that these resonate well with social workers because they reflect core professional values and our professional identities. Theoretical and conceptual frameworks focus on one of the following or a combination of themes from the perspective of the social worker or service user or both. ‘Social work practitioners, many of whom eagerly sought psychoanalytic treatment and supervision, began to use many psychoanalytic techniques with their clients’. At the intrapersonal level, all writers explore the relevance to social work practice of key concepts associated with a broadly psychodynamic approach, attachment, transference, countertransference, defence, resistance and use of self.