student

1. Figure 2 Related agency MSW PROGRAM University Agency client client Seminar group student Field Instructor MSW class Liaison Agency Supervisor

2. Principles of systems theory that apply to power 1.Seeking homeostasis – systems seek stability; good and bad 2.relationships are either complementary or symmetrical Complementary is 1-2, 2-3,-3-4, 1-3, 2-4 etc. Involve power disparity, giving orders/taking orders – unequal power authority. Symmetrical is equal relationships 1-1, 2-2 etc. Problems arise when attempt is made to change complementary to symmetrical or vica versa Problems also arise when there is conflict between those in a symmetrical relationship. See Diagram example on next slide: Mental health and Family and children services are seeing same clients. Mental health sees the client as a mentally ill single parent, living with older mother and father. From mental health point of view Mother needs responsibility of ongoing childcare with help of parents. Dept. Of family and children services is concerned with the child and sees the mother as neglectful, wants grandparents to take legal custody of child or place in foster care. Thus, two services are in conflict with client in the middle. Neither has enough power to make what they wish, happen. The more conflict escalates the more WHAT? Happens.

3. 3.Pay attention toTriangles - Triangles refer to relationships involving three or more people wiith the Same or differing degrees of power. In triangulation, alliances are formed, usually between two parts of the triangle to deal with the remaining part. In many cases the alliances may be unwilling or unwitting. For example, worker a who is having difficulty with her supervisor b, may form an alliance with an intern c who receives field instruction from b in order to get info on b. In families pathological triangles are often essence of dysfunctional behavior and scapegoating. What happens in a triangle is that at any given time, alliances are formed or maintained that block progress growth and development. Triangles often rigid. They occur when a predictable pattern of relating emerges among three of more people, at the expense of at least one of them. They ususally involve at least one person with greater or lesser power. Triangles are often attempts to balance power disparities. Below is the diagram described on previous slide! Indicates overt conflict 4 symmetrical 4 complementary 1 WHAT CAN HAPPEN AS THE CONFLICT IN THE SYMMETRICAL RELATIONSHIP ESCALATES?

4. 1 2 2.5 3 4

5. Figure 3 Related agency Lines are added that Indicate flow of resources Or energy Typical lines in eco-map MSW program University Agency Client Client Seminar group Student Field Instructor MSW class Liaison Agency Supervisor

6. Figure 1 Add resource relationship lines among others Related agency MSW PROGRAM Univer sity Agency client client Seminar group student Field Instructor MSW class Liaison Agency Supervisor

7. = good relationship = weak relationship = conflict or problem relationship = covert conflict = cutoff or broken relationship

8. Figure 1 Related agency Different lines indicate different types of rel. MSW PROGRAM Univer sity Agency Covert conflict client solid weak client Seminar group conflict student Field Instructor MSW class Liaison Agency Supervisor

9. Figure 4 Related agency 4 Add power ratings; notice triangles MSW program 4-5 University 5 Agency 4 Client 1 Client 1 Seminar group 2-3 Student 2 Field Instructor 3 MSW class 2 Liaison 3-4 Agency Supervisor 4

10. When other relationships are added, along with power ratings, we can see how complex intra- and inter-agency systems really are. Notice the number of triangles, all potentially helpful or harmful. In macro practice there is no such thing as a simple one on one relationship! What happens to you, when there is a conflict between your client and your field instructor? Your liaison and the agency director?

11. Figure 1 Related agency MSW PROGRAM University Agency client client Seminar group student Field Instructor MSW class Liaison Agency Supervisor

13. Figure 6 Eco-map of student in residential adolescent treatment Field instructor 4 Principal 4 Students 1 Clinical director 5 SW Intern 2 Secretary 2-3 Teacher 3 Cottage therapist 4