GAPS is a registered charity promoting relationship-based approaches, and psychodynamic and systemic thinking in social work. We receive an income from our ownership of the Journal of Social Work Practice which we use to fund activities for front-line social work practitioners and managers – such as one-day workshops and seminars, as well as our annual essay award for social work practitioners and students.

In 1980s, a group of social workers interested in working with psychodynamic ideas established GAPS (Group for the Advancement of Psychodynamics and Psychotherapy in Social Work) and the Journal of Social Work Practice. Since that time, GAPS has promoted the importance of relationship-based approaches in social work, and therapeutic, psychodynamic and systemic perspectives – perspectives that are central to the editorial policy of the Journal of Social Work Practice, which is owned by the GAPS membership.

Journal of Social Work PracticeThis ISI ranked, refereed Journal publishes four issues each year and, as such, it is one of the few social work journals that is centrally concerned with promoting the importance of working therapeutically with the children and adults. The Journal has a wide international readership and editorial correspondents, and attracts regular contributions from abroad. Every issue includes papers that are drawn from a wide spectrum of therapeutic interest, including book reviews, commentaries and conceptual themes that explore psychodynamic and therapeutic ideas and ways of working. Also, the Journal regularly publishes special editions where the focus is on specific themes - such as the importance of relationship-based approaches; the importance and impact of defences in social work; work with children; work with adults; etc. The Journal is published and distributed by Taylor and Francis; members are sent four copies of the Journal a year, and can also access a range of other benefits and resources.

If you have a question or would like more information about GAPS or our events, please get in contact with the Project Co-ordinator, Hannah Pepper by email hannahpepper@gaps.org.uk or by phone 07714 237107

Building relational systems in social work