Course Details

1. Describe and apply the psychodynamic/psychosocial, ecosystems and strengths perspectives in social work practice with individuals and families.
2. Describe the basic phases and stages of the helping process in the person in environment perspective.
3. Identify the role of the social worker and the agency (policy and practices) in all the stages of the helping process.
4. Explain the basic elements of psychodynamic and systems theories.
5. Identify the qualities of an effective helping relationship.
6. Describe the dynamics of the worker/client relationship and identify issues relating to power, boundaries and transference in the helping relationship.
7. Develop skills in problem identification and in constructing Bio-Psycho-Social Assessments, Ecomaps, and Genograms.
8. Apply to case-studies analysis, the skills developed for the initial phase of the helping process.

The Psychosocial/Psychodynamic Perspective and the Traditional Problem-Solving Phases.

The strengths and ecosystems perspectives: definition, characteristics and principles. Empowerment and resiliency. Empowerment vs Traditional Problem-solving Model. Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model.

Service Users (Individuals and the Family):  Characteristics. The resistant client. Voluntary vs Involuntary Clients. Family Life Cycle. Roles in Dysfunctional families.

Theories: Basic elements in Systems and Psychodynamic Theories.

The problem and the organization-agency: problem identification skills, identifying vs. underlying problem, the identified patient. The influence of the agency on the service user/worker relationship (the role of the agency culture, practices and policy)

The professional Relationship: Qualities and characteristics, Professional Boundaries. Transference and Countertransference.

The initial phase in the helping process: stages, objectives and the intake process. Data gathering skills. Comprehensive assessment and social history. Ecomaps, and Genograms.

• Δημοπούλου, Λ.Μ. (2011). Μεθοδολογία Κοινωνικής Εργασίας, Μοντέλα Παρέμβασης. Εκδ. Τόπος. [ Demopoulou, L.M. (2011). Social Work Methodology. Intervention Models. Athens: Topos.]
• Social Work Professional codes of Ethics.
• Articles and Case Studies.

• Καλλινικάκη, Θ. (1998). Κοινωνική εργασία: εισαγωγή στην θεωρία και πρακτική της κοινωνικής εργασίας (2η έκδοση). Αθήνα: Ελληνικά Γράμματα
• Κανδυλάκη, Α. (2008). Η Συμβουλευτική στην Κοινωνική Εργασία. Εκδ. Τόπος
• Μαλικιώση-Λοίζου,Μ. Συμβουλευτική Ψυχολογία. Εκδ. Ελληνικά Γράμματα
• Παπαδάτου, Δ. & Μπαλλάλη, Θ. (2008). Βασικές γνώσεις ψυχολογίας για επαγγελματίες υγείας. Εκδ. Κριτική
• Παπαιωάννου, Κ. (1998). Κλινική Κοινωνική Εργασία – Κοινωνική Εργασία με Άτομα. Αθήνα: εκδ. ΕΛΛΗΝ
• Cournoyer, B. (1996). The social work skills workbook.CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
• Doel, M., & Shardlow, S.M. (2005). Modern social work practice.
• Teaching and learning in practice settings. UK: Ashgate Publishing
• Parker, J. & Bradley, G. (2008). Social Work Practice: Assessment, Planning,
• Payne, M. (2000). Σύγχρονη θεωρία της κοινωνικής εργασία (επιμ.Θ.Καλλινικάκη). Αθήνα: Ελληνικά Γράμματα
• Siegel, S. & Lowe, E. (2006). O ασθενής που θεράπευσε το θεραπευτή του.

The taught part of course is delivered to the students by means of lectures, conducted with the help of computer presentations. Lecture notes and presentations are available through the web for students to use in combination with the textbooks. Classroom activities include group discussion, case studies analysis, role plays and student presentations.