Behavioral social work: Where has it been and where is it going?

Abstract

This article reviews the history of behavioral social work, its current status, and future directions. Behavioral methods were first introduced to social work by Edwin J. Thomas. The behavioral approach is consistent with two key values in social work. The first emphasizes the importance of the person-in environment perspective, i.e., the idea that treatment needs to address environmental issues that impede a person’s ability to improve their life. The behavioral approach provided a framework and a technology to do this. Second, social workers talk about “starting where the client is” and the importance of individualized assessment and treatment. This also was consistent with the newly emerging behavioral approach. The infusion of behavioral methods into social work occurred quickly. Courses on behavioral treatment were added to social work curricula, textbooks emphasizing behavioral methods appeared and articles by behavioral social workers were published in key social work journals. The current status of behavioral social work is unclear. The early enthusiasm has certainly diminished and few social work programs now require students to take courses in behavioral methods. Even though most social work practitioners today would not identify themselves as behaviorists, many of them engage in interventions that borrow heavily from the behavioral literature. The future of behavioral social work at this time is uncertain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)