ABSTRACT
Family workers often work with families in their own homes, and may be involved in addressing a range of issues. Although their contact with families may have more informal quality, with less structure than a textbook approach to cognitive work, family workers are reporting that the cognitive approach can be useful in their work. Identifying beliefs may not be easy, especially if the focus of sessions is diverted by recurring crises or the family are seen in their own home with the usual distractions. In such situations family workers may not be able to pursue the cognitive approach beyond the identification and review of specific thoughts as they emerge in discussion. If an individual can recall an activity that they used to enjoy doing and is ready to try resuming it, at least in a small way, this could be presented as a homework task, with the details being developed in collaboration between the worker and family member.
