A Study of Clinical Eclecticism

Abstract

Clinical eclecticism is a widely acclaimed but little studied phenomenon. A national survey of clinical social workers was undertaken in an attempt to better con- ceptualize its nature. The data presented in this article are based on the responses of 267 individuals who were picked at random from the NASW Register of Clinical Social Workers and who identified themselves as eclectic in a questionnaire. Psychoanalytic theory appeared to be the modal theory in use. Those receiving M.S.W. degrees after 1971, however, show a distinct movement away from it. Technical and theoret- ical eclecticism appear to be used synonymously as a concept. The use of a given technique often seems to lead to the identification with a given orientation. The state of affairs is technical eclecticism, with little heed being paid to the theoretical underpinnings.

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