The answer lies in the verb ‘to be’: An existentialist feminist perspective on the casework relationship

Abstract

Abstract ‘Practice Forum’ is intended to provide a forum for social work practitioners to share their practice with others; to describe what they are doing and assess its effectiveness. We extend an invitation to all social work practitioners to submit articles for ‘Practice Forum’ and we look forward to receiving your contribution. This article describes the author's work as a social worker in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a large Sydney children's hospital. It outlines the two philosophical trends of feminism and existentialism which have been instrumental in shaping the author's personal philosophy and social work practice. Particular reference is made to the case of ‘Sophie’, a woman whose baby was born with a congenital abnormality and who died at twelve weeks of age. The casework relationship is explored in the light of this particular author's personal orientation which facilitates a synthesis of the personal and the professional, and a route towards creative practice.