Gertrude Wilson was the major force behind the development of group work in social work during the 1940s and 1950s (Smith). When she began writing on group work, the practice was dominated by case work, focusing on the psychic problems of individuals and rooted in psychoanalytic theory. Wilson was among the first to oppose this view and argued that personal problems originate not only from internal, but also from external sources. She demonstrated that case work and group work draw on the same basic concepts from behavioral science, and sought to use group work to bring about changes in the values of individuals and society as a whole. She argued that group work was a process through which group life was influenced by a worker who directed the process towards the accomplishment of societal goals in a democratic philosophy. Group work includes such things as play and leisure activities, games, dance, music, story telling, dramatics, arts and crafts, and field trips.
Activities are practiced on an individual level, and include a variety of things in different settings. In the school setting, social work activities include individual counseling; referring students and their families to appropriate community resources; assistance with problems that interfere with a student's success in the educational environment; and help with school attendance problems (School). In the medical field, social work activities include supportive counseling for patients/families/partners; psychological assessment; elder/spousal/child/dependent abuse counseling; financial benefit counseling and assistance; medical coverage; and legal issues (Harris). Activities can also include some of those used in group work, such as arts and crafts, dance, music, story telling etc., but in a one-on-one situation with the case worker.
Harris, Carol E. "Medical social workers." 9 Oct. 2000. 15 May 2005.