Clinical Social Work Journal Vol. 25, No. 4, Winter 1997 MITCHELL'S RELATIONAL CONFLICT MODEL: AN ANALYSIS OF ITS USEFULNESS IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK Eric D. Ornstein, MA, LCSW Carol Ganzer, Ph.D., MSW ABSTRACT: This article examines the relational conflict model developed by Stephen A. Mitchell. The main concepts of Mitchell's relational conflict model are discussed, particularly early patterns of connection to parental figures and the interactive treatment approach to understanding and changing those rela- tional patterns. The model is contrasted with classical drive and developmental arrest theories in the psychodynamic treatment of psychopathology. We explain how Mitchell's model, in keeping with a social work perspective, takes into con- sideration the social, cultural, and environmental factors as well as the intra- psychic. We discuss how patterns of relating are reworked throughout the life course, and we explore the potential for individual agency in constructing new patterns of relating. We also highlight the social constructivist aspects of Mit- chell's approach which are congruent with current contemporary trends in social work theory. A case vignette is presented to illustrate the viability of this model for clinical social work practice. KEY WORDS: relational conflict model; psychodynamic treatment; social constructivism. In the past decade, what has been characterized as a paradigm shift in the social sciences has appeared in the social work literature as well and has been described by terms such as naturalistic inquiry, humanis- tic inquiry, or narrative approach (Bruner, 1991; Goldstein, 1986,1990a; Gorman, 1993; Hartman, 1992; Rodwell, 1987; Saari, 1991; Scott, 1989). Primarily a movement away from an empirically based, often medi- calized model of treatment, this form of inquiry emphasizes the forma- tion and understanding of an interactive relationship between therapist 391 C 1997 Human Sciences Press, Inc.