Open AccessSurrender and Contemporary Social Work Theory
Author(s) -
Bryan C. Duckham,
Meagan J. Greenfield
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
critical social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1543-9372
DOI - 10.22329/csw.v10i1.5795
Subject(s) - surrender , faith , psychodynamics , sociology , epistemology , social psychology , social work , social practice , psychology , law , psychoanalysis , political science , philosophy , art , performance art , art history
Surrender is an important and foundational spiritual/religious belief and practice found within many faith traditions. However, despite this important practice, valued by many clients who see social workers, little has been done to integrate this concept into social work theory and practice.
This paper examines the fundamental beliefs of psychodynamic theory and practice, as well as several recent social work practice models, as they relate to spiritual surrender. It is suggested that areas of cooperation and conflict exist between the fundamental tenets of these models and the practice of surrender. These areas of difference and commonality have important practice implications for religious/spiritual clients. A danger exists within social work theory and practice to overemphasize time limits and control for some religious/spiritual clients.