Micro Level Social Work Theories: CBT, Narrative, and Task-Centred Model
Your Guide to Social Work Theories for the Personal Statement – Part 3: Micro Level Social Work Theory Examples
In the third and final part of this series on common social work theories, I’m going to introduce three theories: cognitive and behavioural theories, narrative theory, and the task-centered model. These theories are all most commonly used in micro level, or direct practice settings, although some may be applied at the mezzo level as well. Although you may not come to your MSW application with formal counselling experience, it’s possible that you may have been using some of the ideas from these theories in your past experience without even realizing it! Below, I’ll go into more detail on each of the theories and give some examples of how they might be used in your past or future experience.
See part 1 & 2 of this series below:
Part 1: Foundational Theories in Social Work
Part 2: Social justice based theories
Cognitive and Behavioural Theories (CBT)
Behavioural theory (commonly known as behaviourism) is the idea that when someone completes a behaviour that creates a positive result, they are more likely to repeat the behaviour. On the other hand, if there is a negative consequence of a behaviour, it is less likely to be repeated. Cognitive theory is built on the foundations of behaviourism, however, cognitive theory suggests that thoughts influence behaviour in addition to rewards or consequences. Both of these theories are rooted in psychology research; for example, common psychology concepts like classical conditioning (Pavlov) and operant conditioning (Skinner) are related to behaviourism.
CBT and micro level social work examples
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a common counselling modality that is based on the concepts of behavioural and cognitive theories. CBT is grounded in two main ideas: one, that our thoughts influence our behaviour and emotions, and two, that our behaviour can influence our thoughts and emotions. This can mean that as social workers, applying CBT will include helping people change how they think in order to accomplish their goals. More specifically, there are many ways that CBT can be incorporated into direct practice. For instance, a social worker may help people recognize unhelpful beliefs and thinking patterns. It could also include things like assigning “homework” to people to help with behaviour activation or working with the client to create small goals that will help with overall behaviour change.
Applying CBT principles to your personal statement
In your past professional experience working with people, you may have already been applying elements of CBT or cognitive and behavioural theories more broadly. For instance, a common example of a tool that is rooted in behaviourism is reward charts. Perhaps you worked in a daycare with school-aged children and you are helping them work on a goal of cleaning up after themselves. You could create a reward chart with them so that they receive a sticker each time they clean up, and after they have accumulated 10 stickers they get to pick a prize out of a bucket. In this example, you are using a positive reinforcer (reward) to encourage behaviour change and help them achieve their goal!
Be mindful that only registered social workers and therapists are qualified to provide therapy, so while you may be using principles of CBT in non-social work roles be careful not to imply that you were doing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Narrative Theory: Micro Level Social Work Examples
Narrative theory is highly relevant to the field of social work because so much of the work being done involves listening to people’s stories as we are helping them. Listening to and understanding these stories can help us grasp not only the logistical aspects of what a client has experienced but also the meaning and significance attached to different parts of the story.
Communication with clients is central to direct practice, but there are many different ways that people can share their stories with us. The most obvious is through verbal accounts, but storytelling can also include written communication and even expression through artwork. Allowing a person to share their story in itself can be therapeutic, but this can also be extended by helping them unravel the meaning attached to their experiences as well. In addition, as social workers we can help clients alter the meaning attached to their experiences where helpful (this is also often called reframing). Lastly, another key consideration with narrative theory is the impact that dominant narratives can have on clients. In many cases, the existing dominant narratives can be harmful, so it can sometimes be helpful to support clients in externalizing their experiences.
Applying narrative theory to your MSW application
Narrative theory has evolved into a more specific practice modality called narrative therapy. This is a practice based on the principles of narrative theory and can be helpful in a variety of practice settings. Similar to many other social work theories, narrative theory can be used with many different populations. In addition, if you have some experience working directly with people in a social work setting, it is highly likely that you have already been applying some aspects of narrative theory in your work! For example, perhaps you work directly with people experiencing mental illness. Much of your work could include listening to not only the experiences that your clients are sharing with you but also understanding the aspects of the story that are meaningful to them. In addition to using your microskills to listen to the client’s story, it is highly possible that you may have to confront the dominant narratives related to mental illness in your work. This may look like helping clients detach from societal myths, like the myth that people with mental illness are dangerous, which are often reinforced through the media. By helping clients detach from these myths and validate that they are worthy, valuable members of society, you are already applying narrative theory in your work.
Task-Centered Model and Micro Social Work
The task-centered model centers around supporting clients with solving problems by providing specific assignments or tasks. The client can complete these tasks, and in doing so they will lead the client in the direction of solving their problem. The task-centered model can be used broadly and in conjunction with other theories or approaches, like ecological systems theory for example.
The task-centered model is guided by a few foundational principles. It assumes that problems are an expected part of living and that people have a desire to solve their problems. Relatedly, another core principle is that people are naturally problem-solvers, and solving their problems can help promote self-efficacy for clients.
There are three main phases of applying the task-centered model; they are the initial phase, the middle/intervention phase, and the final phase. During the initial phase, the goal is to get to know the client and understand their problems in the context of their experience. Through doing so, we can explore the “target” problem in detail. Through this process, we can also set goals with the client which can help with measuring progress later in the process. The next phase is the intervention phase. At this point, the problem has been clearly identified, so we can focus on creating specific steps to help solve the problem. This could include tasks for the client to complete outside of sessions, but it may also include tasks that can be completed with the support of the professional. In identifying tasks for the client, it is important to be as clear and specific as possible so that clients have the best chance of being successful with their tasks. The final phase involves termination. This can include evaluating progress that was made throughout sessions, as well as discussing ways to maintain the progress that was made.
The task-centered model is robust and was created out of previous research findings. It is an example of evidence-based practice and has also inspired other techniques including solution-focused brief therapy. However, the model is most commonly used in short-term contexts and is not appropriate for addressing more significant, complex problems.
Task-centred model and micro social work examples
As mentioned above, there is a wide variety of settings where the task-centered model could be used and applied. For example, perhaps you work at a youth homeless shelter, and you have a new youth come in who is currently unhoused because of family conflict. You could apply the task centered model by getting to know the youth and understanding the specific nature of their problems. Perhaps they have been kicked out because their parents are frustrated that they are consistently smoking in the house. By understanding the details of the problems as much as possible, you can then collaborate with the youth to determine tasks that will help eventually solve the problem. An example of a task in this case might be the youth having a conversation with their parents about the issues they are having. This could be done in collaboration with you as the support worker, or it could be done independently by the youth. Either way, this may be challenging for the youth, so it can be helpful to role-play the completion of tasks to increase the chances of success. You could continue working with the youth over a short period of time to support them in solving their problem and achieving their goal of moving back home with their family.
Although you may not have been familiar with the task-centered model before this, chances are that if you’ve done direct work with clients, you’ve used some form of the task-centered model! In sum, the task-centred model in social work looks like getting to know and understand the client and their problems, collaborating to determine steps to solve them, and then following up and helping them maintain their progress.
Applying to MSW Programs
Regardless of whether or not you have formal “counselling” experience prior to applying to your MSW, there are many ways that you may have already incorporated micro level social work theories into your past experience. Additionally, the theories highlighted above are great to keep in mind as you continue to gain experience in the field whether you are considering applying for your MSW or you have already completed it!
If you are applying to your Master of Social Work be sure to check out the following free resources to help you write your MSW personal statement!
References
Langer C., & Lietz, C. (2014). Applying theory to generalist social work practice: A case study approach. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
