Clinical Social Group Work and Public Responsibility: A Unity of Opposites (excerpts)

Abstract

This article consists of excerpts from a presentation given by the author at the 7^th Annual Symposium for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups in October 1985. Papell discusses her objections to redefining the whole of social work and social work with groups as “clinical,” as some social work educators and leaders were urging. She expresses concern about how such a redefinition would affect social work’s already weakening commitment to the “psycho-social construct,” arguing that the profession needs group work to stay connected to its historic mission. Papell goes on to identify several aspects of social group work that make social work empowering, as well as clinical.

KEYWORDS:

• clinical social group work
• definition of social work