Practice theory for clinical social work

It is suggested that practice theory for clinical social work practice is in a state of disarray. Six new books on clinical social work practice are reviewed, with an identification of their contributions to the development of clinical practice theory. The expanded societal functions of clinical social work have resulted in major changes in method and in practice activities, without commensurate development of appropriate theory, as about environmental-situational interventions. Good theoretical advances have been made, as about a basic ecological systems model, though with need for a greater openness to new theories and to an eclectic approach. Advances have also been made in clinical research and knowledge building, handicapped though this may be by current critical inadequacies in the professional schools, particularly in the continued resistance to the development of clinical doctorate programs.