Research Paper Social Work

Personal Reflection and Psychosocial Assessment of Family Theory:
Name of Student:
Institution:

ABSTRACT
The Generalist Intervention Model theory approach confines an extensive plan of intervention that focuses on solving issues at multiple system levels; rather than at an individual level. Social workers provide excellent services proving competence in their training, education, certification, and experience working with complex issues involving either an individual, group, or community. Practitioners are required to understand and use the model to improve relationships among family members and address complex issues and disputes affecting them. The model is critical to guarantee that all the clients’ needs are met, hence relieving their stresses in ways that strengthen their systems. Over the years, social workers have used the theory to unite families, develop them, and improve their relationships. This paper utilizes the knowledge gained as a social worker through studying and understanding the Generalist Intervention Model and using it to solve an individual family-of-origin issue.
Keywords: Generalist Intervention Model, Practitioner, Social Work, Family, Family-of-Origin Experiences, Intervention

INTRODUCTION
The Generalist Intervention Model enables every social worker to look at issues in a different context and find solutions within their intermediate environment. The generalist practitioner determines the intervention process through assessing the nature of the situation presented and then researches on the systems of intervention to solve the problem (Press, 2009).

The generalist intervention method requires the social worker to have a face-to-face conversation with the client including an individual, group, family, or community. Practitioners utilize the seven steps of the Generalist Intervention Model that include engagement with the client, assessment process, planning, implementation, evaluation, terminate, and lastly following up on the client’s recovery. Therefore, as a practitioner, the Generalist Intervention Model should guide one into addressing the simple and complex family issues as learned in the course. The model’s most significant advantage is its ability to solve even challenging problems through the skilled generalist intervention procedures. The model’s engagement process requires the demonstration of active listening, evaluation, and attending skills that focus on learning the patient’s feelings, thoughts, and expectations. The practitioner then assesses and reviews all information gained from the client to develop the best strategies to solve the problem. Social workers use their skills to reiterate and clarify the client’s responses and establish an action plan for the patient. The intervention stage involves both the social worker generalist and the client. They work together to develop specific objectives and actions that will guarantee the solution of the targeted issues. After executing the contract, the social worker generalist helps the patient through the implementation process, ensuring that he/she achieves the intended goal. The evaluation stage then determines if all the goals are met. This involves the use of questionnaires and a follow-up interview. This paper reflects on my family-of-origin experiences and tries to respond to the problems and issues through the Generalist Intervention Model.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
My name is Danielle, and I am 22 years. My mother’s name is Leslie. She is 57 years. I have three brothers. The eldest is called Sean. He is aged 35 years. The second oldest brother is Mitchell. He is 33 years. Derek is my third brother. He is 27 years. My father is the only member of the family absent since he died five years ago. Currently, we all live separately. Derek and Leslie live together in West Palm Beach. Leslie works at Electronic Company as the Business Secretary. Derek just graduated with an AAA degree in Criminal Justice. However, he is currently unemployed. Sean lives in Boca Raton with his wife and son. He works for a movie company as the Data Analysis Coordinator. My brother Mitchell lives in New York where he is a General Manager with an Electronics Company. Currently, I live in Boca Raton with my boyfriend. We all have a Polish and German background from my father and a Puerto Rican background from our mother. Currently, our family does have an existing problem.
Most of the family members live apart and far from each other. Consequently, the relationship between parents and siblings have faded over the years. Since the death of my father, many issues have developed, hence straining our relationship. My eldest brother, Sean is currently married and have a son. He rarely visited my mother especially after moving to the city. My two brothers, Derek and Leslie also infrequently tours the rest of the family members. However, they often communicate through the phone. I am currently living with my boyfriend; however, my mother is not aware. She also got a boyfriend. Both my brothers and I were not happy about her decision as it strained our relationship with her, given our father died a few years ago. I believe that these issues have continued to twist my family’s connections and relationships. If not attended to, the situation may become worse.
My mother, my elder brother, and I were the attendants of the assessment procedure.
PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT
A psychosocial assessment of my family proves that it is characterized by Individualism (Bexley, 2012). The family relationships have faded over time. This is mainly contributed by the fact that we live far away from each other. Each stage of the family’s growth is marked by several adjustments aiming to cope with the current cultural economic, social and chronic stressors in the immediate environment. Most family members are actively involved in their relationships, making it difficult to meet and discuss critical family matters. Acculturation resulting from my brother’s marriage, my mother’s boyfriend, and my boyfriend; including change of geographical regions over the years have resulted in different cultural blending and individualism (Bexley, 2012).
If my family members were to seek help from a social worker, they might agree on working on the indifferences developed over the years. They would also agree on maintaining frequent communications and visits to enhance relationship building. Additionally, this would guarantee that the family welcomes the new members including my boyfriend and my brother’s wife. The social worker should describe the effectiveness of communication and regular meetings for us to catch up with each other. The psychosocial assessment by the social worker would guarantee that our family’s strength is rebuilt through a referred program (Press, 2009). Consequently, all members must strictly adhere to this plan to solve the developmental difficulties we experience.
The Generalist Intervention Model would be useful in resolving the issues straining the family relationship over the years. The models enable our family to develop the goals for work necessary to guarantee that its relationships and wellbeing improves with time. Every member of the family requires advice and consultation to help build the relationship again. Through self-determination, adherence, and clarification of the goals; our actions will influence the faster solution to our problems.
The Generalist Intervention Model requires every practitioner to create skilled capabilities through gaining knowledge on the theory’s subjects to resolve complex family issues. Additionally, the intervention process requires the practitioner to use both the innovative and traditional social work methods in solving the problems as presented. Respect for individual privacy and decisions should be maintained through the intervention process. Additionally, the practitioners are advised to be careful with the judgment. This is guaranteed through training, researching, supervision, and consultation with other competent individuals.
Every member of the family must adhere the goals for work to resolve the issue. Sean should try and visit the rest of the family members and bringing along his wife and son. This would help to improve and build on the family relationship. Additionally, it will offer a chance whereby other family members get to know about his wife and son. The family should frequently communicate through the phone and internet to catch up with each other.
RELEVANCE TO SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
I think that my family-of-origin issues and experiences discussed will help me during my role as a social worker. The present condition should be corrected through the right intervention process to empower and inspire the well-being of every member of the family. I will help other families solve their disputes and overcome difficult experiences. My life circumstance with my family has helped me understand the need to improve, inspire, and empower the well-being of others in the society.
To resolve the issues that might seem difficult to work with as a social worker, Erikson, Murray, and Salvador argue that the practitioner must keep in mind that most of the clients make hasty and incorrect decisions out of their control. Mostly, it is due to emotional or mental illness (Bexley, 2012).
The generalist intervention model proves useful in social work practice as it assists in resolving complex family issues. Firstly, the generalist practitioner must possess an abiding and profound commitment towards helping the client solve their problem (“SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK – More on Generalist Practice – Wichita State University,” 2017). The values of social work require the practitioner to exercise dignity and respect for our decisions without judgment. He/she must work towards guaranteeing that the goals of the intervention are met. Social workers must communicate the ethical framework they intend to use to solve the life circumstance. The model requires the practitioner to engage the clients and help them by finding creative solutions to their problems. Generalists use the problem-solving models to intervene and assess the situation of the client, plan for change, and intervene in their lives to guarantee positive outcomes. The product of this process of to achieve the goals of the client. Generalist practitioners require the family members to discover the power they need in their relationship. Afterwards, it is his/her role o guarantee that they strengthen the clients’ sense of control and make decisions that impact their relationship positively. These power tasks should be reflected everyday to guarantee that the clients achieve a positive change in their lives. The model requires the practitioners to monitor the overall processes and steps and ensure that the clients complete the assigned tasks.
CRITIQUE
The Generalist Intervention Model has many strengths and several limitations. Firstly, it is advantageous as it utilizes focus and advocacy to identify the target change and implement strategies to resolve the existing problem. It also allows creativity and flexibility of the generalist social worker. For example, the social worker gives the clients the freedom to decide on the best strategies to solve their existing issues. The focus is maintained on achieving the targeted changed environment (“SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK – More on Generalist Practice – Wichita State University,” 2017). The system proves the need for change and influences the client to accomplish the goals. Additionally, the model empowers the client to be creative in finding solutions to their problems. This actively involves them, during the process. However, it has a few limitations including the difficulty of understanding the client’s environment, wakening of competency, and the different levels of the generalist worker training variation.
The Generalist Intervention Model has considered very usefully in that it utilizes the best intervention method to solve the current problems and issues experienced at family levels. In this case, I believe that the aspect that would be most useful for a social worker who is determined to help my family is to understand that we once used to have a very close bond. However, it has faded since then as most of us have got into relationships and we live separately.
I believe that a social worker will experience a significant challenge trying to bring together the different members of my family. The more significant problem will be integrating the new members including my boyfriend, my mother’s boyfriend, my brother’s wife, and my third eldest brother’s girlfriend into the cultures and norms of our family (Press, 2009). I believe it is the case since each of them would like to assist without getting caught up in the middle of our issues.
I think that it would be a creative decision for a social worker to seek sessions with our family members. It will include one sitting sessions with my mother and siblings, and the other with the new family members. This will enhance expression of matters of concerns and feelings and give everyone an opportunity to contribute towards its betterment through pitching helpful ideas. The social worker should avoid instances of confrontation and blame; for the significance, the well-being, and happiness of everyone in the family (Bexley, 2012).
CONCLUSION
The Generalist Intervention Model has proved to be useful in developing more significant insight into understanding human behavior. The understanding and knowledge provide improved quality of services delivered to the client. All social workers must demonstrate their accountability and effectiveness towards the clients’ problems. They must make their decisions based on research, assessment, and consultation with other experts. The model reflects a collective agreement between the client and the social worker. It also incorporates the role of practitioners in their influence for change through necessary interventions (“SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK – More on Generalist Practice – Wichita State University,” 2017). The Generalist Intervention Model proves useful in developing the capabilities of individuals, families, groups, and communities with life difficulties, problems, or issues.
 
References
Bexley, J. N. (2012). Relationship Systems Outside the Therapy Room: A Grounded Theory on Seasoned MFT Doctoral Graduates Utilizing Their Systemic Training in Human Service Team-based Organizations. Nova Southeastern University.
Press, C. N. (2009). Incorporating intersectionality in social work practice, research, policy, and education.
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK – More on Generalist Practice – Wichita State University. (2017). Webs.wichita.edu. Retrieved from http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=socialwork&p=/bsw/genreadmore/