Neuroscience and Social Work Practice : The Missing Link

by Rosemary L. Farmer

• ISBN13: 9781412926980
• ISBN10: 141292698X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-17
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Over the past 30 years, findings in the neurosciences have grown exponentially and have provided a profound understanding of the link between behavior and biology. Although the Social Work community has long taken pride in using a bio-psycho-social-spiritual (BPSS) framework in conceptualization and intervention, the biological aspect of this BPSS framework has been sorely missing. Neuroscience and Social Work Practice provides the critical missing link. Introducing the latest neuroscience research, it gives practitioners essential data-in an easily accessible form-with which to take on the challenges of increasingly complex human problems and diagnoses. Key Features Takes readers on a 'œtour of the brain' and makes dense scientific material more engaging  Provides a framework for how human service professionals can understand and implement neuroscience clinical data with the use of the Transactional Model Uses case vignettes to explain how neuroscience findings have been applied to specific practice situations Offers a deeper understanding of the links between neuroscience research and social work in such areas as trauma, attachment, psychotherapy, substance abuse, and the effects of psychotropic medicationsIntended Audience This cutting-edge text is indispensable for practitioners in the human services field and is an essential supplement for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students of courses in Human Behavior in the Social Environment and Social Work Direct Practice as well as courses on Interpersonal Practice with Individuals, Children, and Families.

Table of Contents

Linking to the Neuroscientific Revolution

Linking

What's Neuroscience, in a Nutshell?

Social Neuroscience

Book Contents

Tour of the Brain

Selected Characteristics

Selected Functions

Selected Geographical Features

Neuroscience as Link: Transactional Model

Overenthusiasm

Underenthusiasm

The Model

Linking to Social Work: Attaching and Bonding

Attachment Theory: Bowlby's Missing Link

Bonding (and Oxytocin)

Understanding?

Linking to Social Work: Trauma

Increase Reliance on Science-Based Explanations

Incidence and Severity of Problems Linked to Trauma

Darryl: The Quest for Better Social Work Practice

A Neurodevelopmental View

A Multidimensional View

Advocating

Deeper Than It Need Be

Linking to Social Work: Psychotherapy

Understanding

Practice

Opportunities

Linking to Social Work: Psychotropic Medications and Drugs of Abuse

Psychotropic Medications That Help

Drugs That Hurt

Transactional Model Revisited

Clients' Peril

Appendix: Teaching Suggestions

References

Index

About the Author

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