Common human needs in the context of diversity: integrating schools of thought

In this article we argue that effective social work practice which honors cultural diversity is best informed through an integration of the strengths associated with modern and postmodern schools of thought. This integration provides a lens for simultaneously seeing common human needs and individual differences, a vision that neither school of thought alone can provide. Aspects of Virginia Satir's growth model are presented as an example of a practice approach that incorporates this simultaneous attention to similarities and differences.