Coleman discusses the derivation and application of casework as developed under the influence of psychoanalytic concepts. Casework has become no poorly drawn imitation of the original model, but has been applied to the traditional problems of social work so that it has evolved terms and methods of its own.

In psychotherapy, attention is directed to the underlying dynamic processes; in casework, to the realities that underlie the emotionally distorted reports of the patient—i.e., the reality aspects of ego functions. The latter approach stimulates the automatic organizational and integrational impulses of the ego and maintains a positive transference relationship by concentration on current material and avoiding dependency reactions. Preconscious ideas are interpreted so that distortions and misconceptions can be eliminated.