ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights theoretical frameworks and skills and behaviors for social work practice interventions with families that include the processes of termination and evaluation. It explores theoretical approaches that use the strengths and empowerment, narrative, and solution-focused perspectives. Like other postmodern family-focused interventions, solution-focused family interventions emphasize strengths and empowerment, client self-determination, and client–social worker collaboration to mobilize assets and resources in order to construct new realities. Families are groups of individuals, and, as such, they benefit from the careful use of the same practice approaches and skills that assist individuals and groups that are consistent with contemporary societal and family trends and challenges. Reframing is a practice skill in which the social worker conceives of and describes a situation in different terms. Perspectival questions can be effective in family social work. Family group conferencing is an empowerment-focused intervention strategy that aims to create or strengthen a network of support for families who are experiencing a crisis or transition.
