Robert L. Barker

Should Training for Private Practice Be a Central Component of Social Work Education? Yes!

Abstract Point/Counterpoint is a regular feature of the Journal of Social Work Education. Its purpose is to provide a vehicle for the expression of contrasting views on controversial topics in social work education. Our goal is to illuminate important debates and explore the diverse perspectives that are shaping social work education. In each issue of the journal, two social work educators are invited to comment on a topic about which they have differing viewpoints. Each commentator is given an opportunity to make a brief rebuttal. In this issue, Robert Barker and Harry Specht address the question: “Should training for private practice be a central component of social work education?”

Confronting the "Threat" of Private Practice: Challenges for Social Work Educators.

Although an increasing number of social workers are engaging in private clinical practice and a majority of entering MSW students plan to do so, content on private practice is generally not included in MSW curricula. This article reports on a 1992-93 survey of faculty and student attitudes concerning various aspects of studying private practice in MSW programs. It compares the views of the two groups, assesses the implications for social work education, and encourages creative approaches to integrating the realities of professional practice with the traditional values and mission of social work.

Rebuttal to Harry Specht

Abstract Harry Spechts argument against private practice is really an argument against social works involvement in psychotherapy. He says its not social work, despite the fact that social work provides more psychotherapy than any other profession in the nation, and more professional social workers are involved in it than in any other method of intervention.