Rich and Tim on ideas for social workers who feel ‘stuck’ or overwhelmed

Messy Social Work

In this week’s episode of the Relational Activism and Social Work Podcast, Tim Fisher and Rich Devine dive into strategies for social workers when feeling “stuck” in cases, especially in longstanding family dynamics where change can be elusive. Rich introduces a framework for recognizing situational and psychological denial in families, exploring the defensive mechanisms that arise in challenging times and how social workers can respond with empathy and clarity. They also discuss the balance between addressing root issues directly and strengthening a family’s support network around the child, highlighting how meaningful change can occur from various angles.

The episode further delves into actionable techniques, like clarifying expectations and outcomes with families and understanding critical causes of both danger and change to avoid overwhelming interventions. Drawing from practice wisdom and Andrew Turnell’s academic insights, they explore the importance of “on the ground” experience as opposed to only theoretical knowledge, raising thoughtful questions on the role of frontline voices in social work discourse.

With ideas that encourage both reflection and practical application, this episode is rich in insights for social work practitioners seeking grounded approaches to their daily challenges.
Links:
Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/
Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/
Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/
Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-devine-181763177/