Theoretical Perspectives for Direct Social Work Practice, Third Edition: A Generalist-Eclectic Approach

Product Description Praise for Previous Edition: Finally, a social work practice text that makes a difference! This is the book that you have wished for but could never find. Although similar to texts that cover a range of practice theories and approaches to clinical practice, this book clearly has a social work frame of reference and a social work identity Lehmann and Coady have put together an edited book that reads with coherence and integrity. Gayla Rogers, Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary This expanded third edition of a popular textbook provides a completely revised and updated overview of the theories, models, and therapies that informdirect social work practice. The text is grounded in generalist social work principles and values and promotes a problem-solving model of social workpractice as a framework for the eclectic use of theory, as well as for integrating the artistic, reflective elements of practice. It provides in-depth coverage of select psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, critical, and postmodern theories. The third edition features a new section on Critical Theories, where a new chapter on Empowerment Theory is included with a completely revised chapter onFeminist Theory. A new chapter on Strengths-based Social Work has been added to the section on meta-theories for social work practice. Other new chapters include Emotion-focused Therapy and Collaborative Therapy. These revisions are based on suggestions from an extensive survey of professors. New to the Third Edition: A new section on critical theories New chapters on strengths-based social work, emotion-focused therapy, empowerment theory, and collaborative therapy Updated research on the debate about the importance of theory/technique versus common (e.g., relationship) factors, and on the critique of the empirically supported treatment movement Resources for instructors, including an Instructor's Manual and PowerPoint slides About the Author Nick Coady, Ph.D. is Professor and Dean, Faculty of Social Work (FSW), Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Coady has been with the FSW/WLU since 1994, and prior to that he taught in the FSW at the University of Calgary for five years. His teaching has been in direct practice, and his practice background includes residential child welfare work, individual and family counseling with high-risk adolescents, and group work with abusive men. Dr. Coady’s research, teaching, and publications have focused on the importance of relationship factors in direct practice. His recent research has involved an exploration of good helping relationships in child welfare and men’s experiences of child welfare involvement. Peter Lehmann , Ph.D. is Professor, University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work. Dr. Lehmann’s publications include two other books with Springer Publishing: Strengths-Based Batterer Intervention and Tools for Strengths-Based Assessment and Intervention (both with Catherine Simmons). His clinical interests include the use of solution-focused brief therapy and his current research includes the evaluation of batterer intervention groups.