In my thesis, I focused on the contribution of social workers in providing professional counselling to couples at the social welfare centre regarding various aspects of anxiety in their relationship. I was interested in the methods employed by social workers in working with couples who experience a certain level of anxiety in their relationship, the challenges they face in working with such couples, and the competencies required by social workers in dealing with anxiety in couples. In the theoretical part, I first discuss the theory of knowledge for social work practice and present the role of the social welfare centre in providing professional counselling to couples. I then introduce anxiety, define the concept of a romantic relationship and relationship satisfaction, discuss the dual-level approach in family work, and explore the concept of resilience as a basis for co-creating desired changes. I further delve into attachment theory as knowledge for practice, present self-esteem and solution-focused approach in social work, and finally touch upon traumatic experiences and a trauma-informed approach. The research conducted for this thesis was qualitative and empirical, involving seven interviews with social workers employed at social welfare centres. The results presented in the second part of the thesis indicated that social workers consider the tasks and actions prescribed by law for professional counselling to couples in their work. They find professional counselling challenging as they deal with resolving complex emotional issues between partners. Furthermore, they view this field of work as therapeutic, requiring knowledge from various disciplines in addition to social work. According to most social workers, there is a need for education on professional counselling for couples since this task has been in effect for a relatively short time. The personal qualities and competencies identified by social workers as necessary for professional counselling with couples include empathy, separating their own emotions from the couple's situation, curiosity in exploring the couple's situation, communicativeness, zero tolerance for violence and abuse, and a solution-oriented approach. Social workers believe that professional competence, continuous improvement, and specialised education are essential for working with couples in professional counselling. The interviews are familiar with family social work and the dual-level approach, which they consistently apply when researching communication patterns, rules, roles, and the couple's relationship. They see their contribution in caring for the process, establishing and maintaining the structure of conversation, and utilising various techniques and skills within the dual-level approach, considering both partners and the overall context. Social workers believe they contribute to improving the couple's attachment by facilitating new and different experiences during the counselling process and strengthening the couple's resilience. They also help the couple become aware of their mutual attachment. They perceive their work from a strengths-based perspective when it comes to improving the self-esteem of one or both partners, searching for sources of strength in the couple, providing compliments and acknowledgments, evaluating the changes already achieved by the couple, and enhancing congruent communication. While they are aware of the trauma-informed approach, they do not use it in their work either due to a lack of knowledge or experience in working with couples who have experienced trauma. Overall, they do not feel sufficiently competent in working with trauma. In their professional counseling work, social workers face specific challenges, including a lack of time for conversations, reconciling legislation with couples' expectations, limited counselling experience, and addressing disorders. I would suggest introducing specific education for social workers focusing on approaches and methods in professional counselling for couples or requiring a professional counselling exam as a prerequisite for performing tasks at social welfare centres. I believe it is necessary to expand the workforce at social welfare centres to prevent social workers from becoming overwhelmed and to improve the quality of services. Additional training and knowledge acquisition in the psychology of self-esteem and promoting positive self-esteem, as well as participation in seminars and workshops addressing these topics, are also recommended. I propose establishing guidelines and protocols for implementing solution-focused approaches in social work, providing social workers with a theoretical foundation and guidance for their work.
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