Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services

Both partners are viewed as participants in the eruption of violence, which is seen as an aspect of the couple's homeostatic patterns that maintain relationship rules and prevent change. The article provides theoretical information and case examples, and suggests treatment implications and goals for couples therapy.

When social work research is viewed within a broad perspective of ideologies, changing technologies, and types of problems to be studied, one reaches the inevitable conclusion that there is no single “right” method and that many approaches are needed to problem solve by means of the scientific method.

Crisis situations can be fully understood only by considering the person-in-crisis situation as an organic whole. By viewing the crisis from as many perspectives as possible, the practitioner can individualize each particular client system while still focusing on the significant aspects of the event causing the crisis.

A treatment approach with pregnant teenagers has as its emphasis not the prevention of pregnancies, but the interruption of the cycle of intergenerational conflict of which pregnancy is only a symptom. Treatment focuses on the entire family as a decisionmaking unit, and on the “cost accounting” required of each member.

A unique opportunity arises in a day care setting for broadening contacts with families who might not seek direct mental health services. When a child's behavior signals that his or her family is in trouble, a worker can often help to facilitate a family systems change that may solve the family's problems.

The client in the work setting must cope with multiple demands which can and usually do affect his or her total functioning. The work experience of the client may be an important dynamic in the intervention process. Differential means of coping with work can be useful in helping the client to adapt to other parts of his or her life.