Categories of theory Roberts & Nee (1970) Strean (1971) Hopkins (1986) Howe (1987)

Psychodynamic psychosocial psychosocial

psychoanalysis psycho-analytic
functional functional
problem-solving
ego psychology egocentred
diagnostic
overdeveloped superego

separation-individuation

individual

Cognitive-behavioural behavioural modification behaviour modification behaviour modification behavioural social work

cognitive
(Family treatment) family therapy family therapy
psychoanalytic, crisis,
strategic, structural,
experiential
family-focused
marital (couple) casework
Crisis theories crisis intervention crisis
Task-centred task-centred (allies with behavioural
approaches)

Systems theories systems systems (not seen as a major

category)

Social psychological/
construction

socialisation imitative learning

communication theory

role theory presentation of self

small groups

Sociological/social
development

organisation theory
Humanist/existential transactional analysis
approaches
client-centred client-centred (groups a
number of existential ideas
under the heading of
‘seekers after the self’)

existential
fantasy-reality
gestalt
encounter
life-space
Critical theories Marxist/radical/radical
structuralism

Feminist consciousness-raising
(includes feminist social
work)
Anti-racist/anti-
discrimination theory

Empowerment and
advocacy
Turner (1986) Lishman (1991) Hanvey & Philpot (1994) Kumar (1995) Turner(1996)

psychosocial psychodynamic casework psychosocial

psychoanalytic psychoanalytic
functional functional
problem-solving problem-solving problem-solving
ego psychology ego psychology

Erikson’s life-cycle
approach to development

psychodynamic
counselling
attachment theory

behaviour therapy behavioural social work behavioural approach behavior therapy

cognitive cognitive-behavioural cognitive

family treatment family therapy

crisis crisis intervention crisis intervention crisis

task-centred task-cented practice task-centred work task-centred

written agreements
systems systems approach systems systems

life model life model

constructivist

narrative
transpersonal
communication theory communication
neuro-linguistic neuro-linguistic
programming programming
role theory role theory
groupwork
bereavement/loss
community social work

social development feminist

Gandhian
community work empowerment
alternatives to custody

transactional analysis transactional analysis

client-centred client-centred

existential existentialism existential

gestalt gestalt

meditation meditation
 hypnosis
Marxist structural approach Marxism materialist (Marxist)

radical
feminist feminist approaches feminism

anti-racist social work

aboriginal/Cree

welfare rights
participatory approach
Stepney & Ford (2000) Cooper & Lesser (2002)

psychodynamic psychodynamic (object

relations)

Behavior therapy
cognitive

counselling

self-psychology

cognitive-behavioural

crisis intervention
task-centred

ecological
solution-focused

narrative

community social work

existentialist
 women’s psychology

cross-cultural

empowerment