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The Generalist Intervention Model for Social Work Practice The
Engagement
primary purpose of the social work profession is to work with
client systems to alleviate social and psychological problems During the engagement stage, the social worker should focus
and promote health and well-being. There are a number of on building trust and rapport with the client, so that mutually-
theories of human development that inform specific agreed upon goals can be determined. In engagement, the
interventions, techniques, and approaches utilized in social social worker is actively involved with the client, listening to
work practice, all of which are included as part of the generalist her/his perspectives on problems, reasons for seeking
practice model. The generalist practice model “uses an treatment, and desired outcomes of therapy.
eclectic knowledge base and broad skill set within a
professional practice model to effect changes in clients’ Assessment During the assessment stage, the focus shifts to
environments,” according to social work scholars Ebear, information gathering. In assessment, social workers should
Csiernick, & Béchard (2008). The generalist practice model collect key data about the client through interviews and other
helps social workers to identify potential stressors and other assessment techniques and instruments and collateral contacts.
disruptions to the client systems’ equilibrium at the micro, This information will assist both the client and the social worker
mezzo, and macro levels, so that social workers can work with in defining problems and possible solutions. During assessment,
clients to plan and implement appropriate interventions that social workers must remember to operate from a strengths-
will support clients in attaining optimal social functioning. based perspective, with careful attention to seeking information
Most Master of Social Work programs are rooted in the about client’s skills, capacities, resources, and other strengths.
generalist practice model, while offering opportunities to
specialize in key populations or areas of interest through
concentration and specialization options. This ensures that Planning The planning stage is focused on goal development,
all MSW graduates possess a comprehensive foundation of based on a mutual understanding of the client’s problems,
professional knowledge to draw on in their practice. In lifestyle, and environment. During this stage, the social worker
addition to offering social work practitioners a broad and client work together to develop an action-plan that is suited
knowledge base, the generalist practice model provides a 7- to the client’s unique circumstances. This action-plan should
stage model to guide the problem-solving process. The stages include specific objectives and tasks that work toward
are: engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, accomplishing the stated goals, with a clear timeline for action,
evaluation, and termination. These 7 stages serve as a and expectations of who will do what.
roadmap for social workers, and facilitate client involvement Intervention
throughout the problem-solving process, protecting their right
to self-determination and ensuring that goals, tasks, and Intervention is the stage when the client and social worker
changes reflect the client’s perspective, preferences, and mobilize resources to implement the action-plan, both complying
capabilities. Following the 7 stages of the generalist practice with their agreed-upon expectations. During this stage, the
model will assist social work practitioners in effectively social worker should monitor client progress, and the client
supporting clients to attain their change goals, and knowing should bring to the social worker’s attention any challenges,
what to do each step of the way. obstacles, or threats to carrying out the action-plan. Plans and
TerminationThe ultimate goal of any therapeutic intervention timelines can be adjusted as needed to ensure that the
is that a time will come when the client is able to maintain intervention is working for the client.
progress on their own. Termination is thus the last stage of the
generalist practice model. During this stage, the client reflects Evaluation
on her/his accomplishments, and client and social worker work
During the evaluation stage, the social worker and the client
together to identify resources and supports in place to help the
focus on goal attainment, continuing to monitor progress to
client should problems re-emerge. Following these 7 stages of
determine when goals are met, and/or whether new goals
the generalist practice model assists social workers in
should be set. Clients can be directly involved in the evaluation
effectively intervening with clients to resolve problems and
stage through self-monitoring, allowing them to track and reflect
improve well-being, while keeping the client involved in the
upon their own progress. The social worker, at this stage,
entire problem-solving process. It is important to remember
critically evaluates how an intervention is working based on
that there is no set length of time for any stage, and in some
client progress. If goals are not being met, it may be necessary
cases, social workers and clients will need to return to a
to return to the assessment stage to better define the problem.
previous stage, depending on client progress. The client
should be at the center of any problem-solving process, and
the generalist practice model offers a useful to guide to Task 1
supporting clients on their path to self-determination and Write synthesis about:
biopsychosocial health. The Generalist Intervention Model for Social Work Practice
 The Components of a BioPsychoSocial-Spiritual-Cultural Assessment
Assessment is one of the primary tasks of a social worker in supporting clients to alleviate problems
and improve health and well-being. After engaging with the client to establish trust and rapport, social
workers help clients to identify problems and potential solutions through assessment. Assessment
involves gathering essential information about the client’s unique circumstances, social functioning,
feelings, and behaviors in order to highlight the client’s strengths, resources, and capacities that might
be utilized in resolving problems, and understand the sources of stress, disruptions, and problem
behaviors in order to effect change.
Many different tools, techniques, and types of information can be used to assess the client’s situation,
but clients are the main source of information about themselves, as they are the experts on their own
lives. When assessing a client, social workers should any available data that might shed light on the
problems the client is facing, being sure to gather information related to the various systems that impact
their lives.
A useful tool for gathering, categorizing, and documenting this information is the biopsychosocial-
spiritual-cultural assessment – a means of collecting information about the presenting issue and the
current and past life circumstances that may be related to it. This information is gathered through an
extended interview with the client, and then written into a biopsychosocial-spiritual-cultural history of
the client to assist in determining specific problems and possible solutions. This tool contains five key
sections, all of which collect crucial information about the client that will be used in setting goals and
making action-plans.
Biological section – includes information about the client’s medical history (past and present, including
medications), family history of medical illnesses, substance abuse history, developmental history, and
physical functioning and abilities
Psychological section – includes information about any psychiatric symptoms or illnesses the client is
currently experiencing, or has experienced in the past, mental status, family history of mental illness,
psychiatric medications or treatments (past and present), and psychosocial stressors or traumatic
events
Social section – includes information on the client’s social functioning, living situation, personal and
family relationships, sexuality, family background, history of abuse, educational background, legal
history, employment history, potential risks, and strengths and resources available to support the client
Spiritual section – includes information on the client’s spiritual beliefs, participation in faith-based
activities, connections to organized religion, and spiritual practices and resources
Cultural section – includes information about the client’s cultural background, participation in cultural
activities and traditions, cultural norms surrounding health, mental health, and social roles, worldview,
and cultural practices and resources
The information included in the biopsychosocial-spiritual-cultural assessment can provide a lot of
insight, to both client and social worker, about the client’s presenting problem, strengths, and resources.
The biopsychosocial-spiritual-cultural assessment is a useful tool during the assessment stage,
providing a template for social workers to gather needed information in order to come to a mutual
understanding of the client’s unique circumstances that will guide continued work together to
accomplish client goals. Task 2 Write a summery about this text.