Changing Practices in Human Services

Chapter Summary

This chapter has highlighted the differences between traditional status in- equality models of human service practice and newer partnership approaches. An overview of recent developments in education, social work, mental health, medical care, and other fields provides strong evidence of a paradigm shift. In the past, practitioners tended to impose their perspective on their clients; today, many professionals are listening more closely to their clients and working in partnership with them. Sociological theory and methods can provide a framework for practitioners interested in understanding the foundations of these newer partnership approaches, as well as techniques for applying them.