Direct Social Work Practice : Theory and Skills

by HEPWORTH/LARSEN/ROONEY

• ISBN13: 9780534251048
• ISBN10: 0534251048
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-11-25
• Publisher: Brooks Cole

Summary

This revision gives social work students learning experiences that are as close to real-life practice as they can get before going out into the field. The book has long been praised for the rigor of its theory along with its emphasis on improving and refining the student's assessment, helping, and communication skills through numerous examples, case studies, and relevant practice exercises. Now this edition is earning praise for being even more readable and on the cutting edge with its inclusion of new material about managed care and diversity issues, and its expanded emphasis on client strengths and empowerment.

This revision integrates material developed by new co-author Ronald Rooney, including coverage of the increasing contact social workers today have with "involuntary clients", people who have been referred by others or who are legally mandated to see a social worker. The authors describe how dealing with these involuntary clients presents new challenges for social workers because they are more likely to be non-compliant, confrontational, or resistant.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Challenges of Social Work

Direct Practice: Domain, Philosophy, and Roles

Overview of the Helping Process

Operationalizing the Cardinal Social Work Values

Exploring, Assessing, And Planning

Relationship-Building Skills: Communicating with Empathy and Authenticity

Verbal Following, Exploring, and Focusing Skills

Eliminating Counterproductive Communication Patterns

Multidimensional Assessment

Assessing Intrapersonal and Environmental Systems

Assessing Family Functioning in Diverse Family and Cultural Contexts

Forming and Assessing Social Work Groups

Negotiating Goals and Formulating a Contract

The Change-Oriented Phase

Planning and Implementing Change-Oriented Strategies

Enhancing Clients' Problem Solving, Social Skills, Assertiveness, and Stress Management

Developing Resources, Planning & Advocacy as Intervention Strategies

Enhancing Family Relationships

Intervening in Social Work Groups

Additive Empathy, Interpretation, and Confrontation

Managing Individual and Family Barriers to Change

The Termination Phase

The Final Phase: Termination

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.