The Strengths Perspective In Social Work Practice

by Saleebey, Dennis

• ISBN13: 9780205408177
• ISBN10: 0205408176
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practicepresents an unrivaled collection of essays that explain the strengths-based philosophy, demonstrate how it works, and provide clear and practical tools for its application. This Fourth Edition includes six new chapters on subjects such as: how to shift ones frame of mind to practice from a strengths perspective; using slave narratives of strength and resistance as guides and inspiration in the fight to end poverty; understanding and promoting the resilience of families; how to solve problems using a strengths perspective; using a strengths approach in working with substance abuse problems; and a new look at the relationships between individual strengths and environmental resources. In addition, many other chapters have been significantly updated with new concepts and ideas, new references, new case vignettes, and new inquiry. The study questions have been revised to reflect the changing knowledge in the field. This is possibly the most extensive and varied text in the rapidly expanding field of strengths literature.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Stanley Witkin
Preface	xvii
Contributors	xxi
PART ONE THE PHILOSOPHY, PRINCIPLES, AND LANGUAGE OF THE STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE
Introduction: Power in the People	1	(24)
Dennis Saleebey
The Fascination With Problems and Pathology	2	(5)
The Strengths Perspective: Philosophy, Concepts, and Principles	7	(3)
Liberation and Empowerment: Heroism and Hope	7	(1)
Alienation and Oppression: Anxiety and Evil	8	(2)
The Lexicon of Strengths	10	(6)
Principles of the Strengths Perspective	16	(4)
Some Preliminary Thoughts	20	(2)
Conclusion	22	(1)
Discussion Questions	22	(1)
References	23	(2)
Shifting Our Habits of Mind: Learning to Practice from a Strengths Perspective	25	(21)
Robert Blundo
The Deficit/Pathology Knowledge Base Becomes Synonymous With Social Work	27	(6)
Maintaining Our Sense of What is Right	33	(4)
Professional Literature Maintaining Traditional Frames	34	(3)
Shifting the Fundamental Frame of Practice	37	(4)
Shifting Frames to a Strengths Perspective	38	(3)
Conclusion	41	(3)
Discussion Questions	44	(1)
References	44	(2)
PART TWO THE REMARKABLE STRENGTHS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE(S)
Strengths of Indigenous Peoples	46	(15)
Margaret Waller
Historical Distortion of Strengths	47	(1)
What are the Strengths of Indigenous Peoples?	47	(11)
Resistance to Assimilation	47	(2)
Sovereignty	49	(1)
Governmental Reform	49	(1)
Advocacy and Political Activism	50	(1)
Education	51	(1)
Separation and Identity	51	(1)
Kinship and Mutual Assistance	52	(1)
Intertribal Celebrations	53	(1)
Traditional Spirituality and Healing Practices	53	(1)
Stories and Storytelling	54	(1)
Skepticism	55	(1)
Humor	56	(1)
Cultural Resilience	57	(1)
Discussion Questions	58	(1)
References	58	(3)
The Significance of Spirituality for Resilient Response to Chronic Illness: A Qualitative Study of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis	61	(16)
Edward R. Canda
Methodology	62	(2)
Summary of Findings	64	(4)
Understandings of Faith, Religion, and Spirituality	64	(1)
Ideas about Impacts of CF on Participants	65	(2)
Metaphors for the Challenges of CF	67	(1)
Challenges Associated with Spirituality	67	(1)
A Consensus Statement on Spirituality as a Source of Strength by Adults With CF	68	(4)
Gary's Story: Trying to Figure It All Out	69	(1)
Teresa's Story: I Am Already Healed	70	(2)
Implications for Social Work	72	(2)
Postscript	74	(1)
Discussion Questions	75	(1)
References	75	(2)
PART THREE STRENGTHS-BASED ASSESSMENT AND APPROACHES TO PRACTICE
The Strengths Approach to Practice	77	(16)
Dennis Saleebey
Some Beginning Observations About Strengths-Based Practice	79	(11)
The Core Conditions of Growth and Change	79	(3)
What Are Strengths?	82	(3)
How Do You Find Out about Strengths?	85	(3)
What Are Some of the Elements of Strengths-Based Practice?	88	(2)
Conclusion	90	(1)
Discussion Questions	91	(1)
References	91	(2)
Assessing Strengths: The Political Context of Individual, Family, and Community Empowerment	93	(23)
Charles D. Cowger
Kim M. Anderson
Carol A. Snively
More Deficit, Disease, and Dysfunction?	94	(1)
Assessment as Political Activity	95	(2)
Strengths and Empowerment	97	(1)
Strengths? or Just a New Spin on Old Problems?	98	(2)
The Resistance to Oppression Factor	100	(5)
Guidelines for Strengths Assessment	102	(3)
Assessment Process	105	(7)
Component 1: Defining the Problem Situation	106	(1)
Steps in Defining the Problem Situation or Discovering Why the Client Seeks Assistance	107	(1)
Questions for the Assessment Process: Beyond ``What Are Your Strengths?''	107	(1)
Component 2: Framework for Assessment	108	(1)
Exemplars of Client Strengths (Quadrant 2)	108	(3)
Assessment of Help Seeker Strengths (Quadrant 2 of Assessment Axes)	111	(1)
Conclusion	112	(1)
Discussion Questions	113	(1)
References	113	(3)
Solving Problems from a Strengths Perspective	116	(12)
Ann Weick
James Kreider
Ronna Chamberlain
Strengths and Solutions	117	(7)
Commonalities and Differences	119	(1)
What about Problems?	120	(4)
Extensions of Strengths- and Solution-Focused Practice	124	(2)
Discussion Questions	126	(1)
References	126	(2)
Strengths-Based Case Management: Enhancing Treatment for Persons with Substance Abuse Problems	128	(20)
Richard C. Rapp
Introduction	128	(1)
Strengths-Based Case Management With Persons Who Have Substance Abuse Problems	129	(1)
The Practice of Strengths-Based Case Management	130	(8)
Strengths-Based Assessment	133	(1)
Conducting the Strengths Assessment	133	(3)
Case Management Planning	136	(2)
Strengths-Based Case Management: Measuring Its Impact	138	(2)
SCBM and Retention in Treatment	138	(2)
SBCM and Critical Outcomes	140	(1)
Explaining the Impact of SBCM	141	(2)
Client Driven/Case Manager Facilitated Treatment Planning	141	(2)
Nature of the Case Manager--Client Relationship	143	(1)
Strengths-Based Case Management as a Brief Intervention	144	(2)
SBCM---Challenges as a Brief Intervention	145	(1)
Conclusion	146	(1)
Discussion Questions	147	(1)
References	147	(1)
The Strengths Model with Older Adults: Critical Practice Components	148	(23)
Holly Nelson-Becker
Rosemary Chapin
Becky Fast
Conceptual Framework For Practice	150	(6)
Operationalizing the Strengths Perspective	152	(4)
Critical Practice Components of Effective Case Management	156	(8)
Personalized Assessment and Planning	157	(1)
Assertive Outreach to Natural Community Resources and Services	158	(3)
Emergency Crisis Planning	161	(1)
Ongoing Collaboration and Caregiving Adjustments	161	(1)
The Empowerment of Older Adults	162	(2)
Integration of Spiritual Assessment and Intervention in Social Work Practice With Older Adults	164	(1)
Integration of Policy Applications in Social Work Practice With Older Adults	165	(1)
Utility of the Strengths Model in the Changing Long-Term Care Environment	166	(2)
Conclusion	168	(1)
Discussion Questions	168	(1)
References	169	(2)
The Opportunities and Challenges of Strengths-Based, Person-Centered Practice: Purpose, Principles, and Applications in a Climate of Systems' Integration	171	(26)
Walter E. Kisthardt
Introduction	171	(1)
The Purpose of the Strengths Approach	172	(2)
The Six Principles of Strengths-Based Helping	174	(8)
Strategies That Promote Effective Engagement From the Perspective of the Service Participant	182	(9)
The Person-Centered Strengths Assessment and Personal Wellness Plan	191	(2)
Closing Thoughts	193	(2)
Discussion Questions	195	(1)
References	195	(2)
Using Strengths-Based Practice to Tap the Resilience of Families	197	(24)
Bonnie Benard
Resilience Research	198	(1)
Environmental Protective Factors	199	(4)
Caring Relationships	200	(1)
High Expectations	201	(1)
Opportunities for Participation and Contribution	202	(1)
What Research Says About Families	203	(10)
The Role of Parenting Style	206	(2)
Caring Relationships in Families	208	(1)
High Expectations in Families	209	(1)
Opportunities for Participation and Contribution in Families	210	(3)
Family Resilience	213	(3)
Discussion Questions	216	(1)
References	216	(5)
PART FOUR STRENGTHS IN CONTEXT
``That History Becomes You'': Slave Narratives and Today's Movement to End Poverty	221	(20)
Willie Baptist
Mary Bricker-Jenkins
Sarah Gentry
Marsha Johnson
Corrine Novak
The Organizations and the Movement	223	(2)
The Study: Narratives and Commitment	225	(2)
The Development of Political Consciousness	227	(4)
Sensing Injustice	227	(2)
Shifting the Dominant Narrative	229	(2)
Hope	231	(1)
Sustaining Participation	231	(4)
Education	232	(2)
Group Identity	234	(1)
Meeting Personal Needs	234	(1)
Barriers to Sustained Participation	235	(1)
Implications for Practice	236	(2)
Discussion Questions	238	(1)
References	238	(3)
Community Development, Neighborhood Empowerment, and Individual Resilience	241	(20)
Dennis Saleebey
``The Power of Place''	242	(2)
Community Development: Emerging Ideas and Practices	244	(2)
Some Basic Ideas about Community Development	244	(2)
Coming Together: Community and Individual Resilience	246	(3)
Exemplars of Community Development Practice	249	(6)
Employing Individual Strengths to Vitalize Community	249	(1)
Building Communities from within: The Assets-Based Approach	250	(2)
Health Realization/Community Empowerment	252	(3)
Notes on Community Building and Programs That Work	255	(3)
Community Building	255	(2)
Programs That Work	257	(1)
Conclusion	258	(1)
Discussion Questions	259	(1)
References	259	(2)
Honoring Philosophical Traditions: The Strengths Model and the Social Environment	261	(18)
W. Patrick Sullivan
Charles A. Rapp
Basic Assumptions	263	(2)
Environment Defined	265	(3)
The Social Niche	266	(2)
Niche Enrichment and Development: Mobilizing Personal and Environmental Strengths	268	(3)
Professional-Consumer Relationships	268	(1)
Facilitating Purpose	269	(2)
The Match Game: Aligning Individual and Environmental Strengths	271	(6)
Mapping Community Assets	273	(4)
Discussion Questions	277	(1)
References	277	(2)
PART FIVE CONCLUSION
The Strengths Perspective: Possibilities and Problems	279	(25)
Dennis Saleebey
Questions and Cautions About the Strengths Perspective	282	(11)
Of Paradigms and Prospects: Converging Lines of Thought	293	(8)
Resilience	294	(3)
Health and Wellness	297	(1)
Story and Narrative/The Therapies of Meaning Creation	298	(1)
Solution-Focused Approaches	299	(1)
Positive Psychology	300	(1)
Conclusion	301	(1)
Discussion Questions	301	(1)
References	302	(2)
Index	304