Tools & Techniques
This visual tool maps family relationships and patterns over at least three generations.
What is a genogram
This approach empowers families to take ownership of their solutions.
What is a strengths based approach
This practice helps social workers better understand their biases.
What is self-reflection
This aspect of family functioning involves managing disagreements and finding solutions.
What is conflict resolution
This question helps identify key people in the family’s support system
What is "Who provides the most support in your life?"
Methods like games, drawing, storytelling, fall under this category of assessment strategies.
What are creative techniques
This type of partnership between families and social workers is emphasized.
What is collaboration
These systemic factors are key considerations in culturally sensitive social work practice.
What are oppression, discrimination and racism.
Emotional regulation is an assessment of this concept
What are coping mechanisms
To explore safety, ask this question about living conditions.
What is "tell me who is a safe person in your home"
This tool visualizes a family’s social and personal connections to the external world.
What is an ecomap
The approach reframes problems as these.
What are needs
A culturally humble social worker demonstrates these three core skills.
What are awareness of cultural values, knowledge of clients’ worldviews, and ongoing training
These three areas are assessed to understand how a family communicates.
What are verbal communication, non-verbal communication, and conflict resolution
To understand family dynamics, ask this about communication..
What is "How does your family handle disagreements or express emotions?"
A diagram that examines cultural factors such as reasons for relocation and language spoken at home.
What is a culturagram
Strengths-based assessments aim to develop this within families, enabling them to face challenges with confidence.
This concept is central to neo-liberal ideologies that informed the shift to the cultural expectations of intensive parenting
What is individual responsibility
This external factor, such as housing or community resources, significantly affects family dynamics.
What is environmental context
This question explores intergenerational relationships and shared experiences.
What is "Are there members of your extended family that you feel close to or feel that you have something in common with?"
This child-friendly assessment tool uses three distinct categories.
What is the 3 Houses tool.
Assessments are holistic and consider these four contexts.
What are physical, emotional, social, and cultural contexts
The assessment of roles of holidays, food, and clothing in shaping a family’s identity and traditions.
What are cultural practices and traditions
This tool focuses on family members’ roles, boundaries, and relationship patterns.
What is a genogram
This question explores strengths in the family.
What is "What qualities do you bring to your family that are special or unique?"