Making the transition from casework to group work

ABSTRACT

This article examines the meaningful difference in mind-set that distinguishes group work from casework. It illustrates the importance of the worker making a cognitive shift from social work with individuals (casework perspective), to work with a group, which consists of multiple members (group work perspective). This mind-set transition utilizes the framework of thinking group. The guiding principle of thinking group is viewed through the lens of group-as-a-whole first and individuals second. Trusting and empowering a group to do its work affords members the opportunity to realize the value of people who have been drawn together by common issues and the wisdom of shared experience. Excerpts from group process recordings and supervisory insight are included to illuminate the worker’s developmental process that contribute to new-found perspectives, while simultaneously becoming grounded in the group work process and its potential for member empowerment.

KEYWORDS:

• Casework and group work
• thinking group
• group-as-a-whole
• empowerment
• cognitive shift

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.