The Student-Field Instructor Relationship:

Abstract

Relationship competence is a critical learning objective for students aspiring to become clinical social workers. The field instructor student relationship provides a rich resource for teaching and learning relationship theory and practice. This paper reviews the empirical literature on effective social work educational relationships and discusses an educational focus, as distinct from a quasitherapeutic focus, wherein students are empowered to join with their instructors to maximize their learning about relationship development and maintenance.