ABSTRACT
T he N eglect o f Power in Practice Theory The quality of the relationship between the worker and the client has been axiomatically accepted as the cornerstone of effective practice. Studies of clinical effectiveness have repeatedly demonstrated that, irrespective of the intervention technology, a major determinant of the effectiveness of practice is the quality of this relationship.1 Not surprisingly, much of the emphasis in social work practice theory is on the formation of a relationship that is voluntary, mutual, reciprocal, and trusting. Although there is a tacit recognition that the relationship may not be symmetrical owing to the power of the worker, this factor tends to be understated in practice theory. For example, in their in fluential life-cycle model of social work practice, Germain and Gitterman argue that “the client-worker relationship is transactional. . . . client and worker roles shift from those of subordinate recipient and su perordinate expert . . . to roles permitting greater mutuality and rec-
470 Social Service Review
iprocity in interaction.’'2 Garvin and Seabury take it a step further and define clients as “persons who come for help to a social agency and who expect to benefit directly from it; who determine, usually after some exploration and negotiation, that this was an appropriate move; and who enter into an agreement-referred to as a contractwith the social worker with regard to the terms o f such service.”3 Notice that although they recognize that the client must transact with a social agency and must negotiate a service agreement, both of which are processes that involve the use o f power, the implication is that in most instances mutuality o f interest will prevail and that power differences will be neutralized. Moreover, although they acknowledge its role, power does not enter into their model of direct practice. Put differently, although social work practice theory recognizes that the worker typically exercises considerable power over the client, the impact of power on the clinical relationship and outcome generally remains understated. There are, of course, some notable exceptions. In her seminal paper on the worker-client authority relationship, Studt emphasized the im portance of authority, as one form of power, in social work practice.4 Her position was recently echoed by Palmer, who noted the desire of social workers to disassociate themselves from power.5 The neglect of the concept of power is common to most helping professions. Heller remarks that “the most striking oversight in the field of psychotherapy has been the great neglect o f power.”6
