Applying Strengths Based Approaches In Social Work

A conceptual and practical presentation of the strengths perspective in social work. Part of the Advancing Core Competencies Series, a unique series that helps students taking advanced social work courses apply CSWE's core competencies and practice behaviours examples to specialised fields of practice. The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice, 6th edition, presents both conceptual and practical elements of the strengths perspective - from learning about and practicing the strengths perspective to using the strengths perspective with older adults, the chronically ill, and substance abusers. Many of the chapters address recent events -from the tragic shooting in Tucson to the uprisings in the Middle East. Each chapter begins with a section from an expert in the field. A better teaching and learning experience This program will provide a better teaching and learning experience--for you and your students. Here's how: Improve Critical Thinking - Each chapter contains four critical thinking questions and two short essay questions that require the reader to apply key concepts. Engage Students - Extensive case examples keep students interested and help them see a connection between theory and practice. Explore Current Issues - Three new chapters have been added to reflect the most current knowledge in the field. Apply CSWE Core Competencies - The text integrates the 2008 CSWE EPAS, with critical thinking questions and practice tests to assess student understanding and development of competencies and practice behaviours.

This textbook offers students and practitioners an accessible introduction to strengths-based approaches in Social Work and Social Care practice. Covering the theory and research in support of these approaches, and packed full of case studies, the book will allow readers to develop a critical understanding of how strengths-based approaches work, and how they can be successfully applied in order to improve outcomes for people with lived experience. Covering the five main models of strengths-based practice, the text presents international research and evidence on the efficacy of each approach, enabling students and practitioners to apply the benefits in their own social work practice. The guide features the perspectives of people with lived experience throughout and includes the following key learning features: • case studies of best practice; • points for practice: succinct tips for practitioners and students on practice placement; • further reading list and resources; • glossary.

This textbook offers students and practitioners an accessible introduction to strengths-based approaches in Social Work and Social Care practice. Covering the theory and research in support of these approaches, and packed full of case studies, the book will allow readers to develop a critical understanding of how strengths-based approaches work, and how they can be successfully applied in order to improve outcomes for people with lived experience. Covering the five main models of strengths-based practice, the text presents international research and evidence on the efficacy of each approach, enabling students and practitioners to apply the benefits in their own social work practice. The guide features the perspectives of people with lived experience throughout and includes the following key learning features: - case studies of best practice; - points for practice: succinct tips for practitioners and students on practice placement; - further reading list and resources; - glossary.

This volume is part of a series of publications which contain practical guidance to assist policy-makers and planners in member countries with policy development to address public mental health needs and service provision. This volume highlights the importance of advocacy in mental health policy and service development, a relatively new concept, aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination, and promoting the human rights of people with mental disorders. It considers the roles of various mental health groups in advocacy and sets out practical steps for implementation, indicating how governments can support advocacy services. The full package of eight volumes in the series is also available (ISBN 0119894173).

Using the Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice explains the major ideas behind the strengths perspective and then demonstatres through case studies and discussion how helping professionals can apply the strengths perspective in practice. The book is very research-oriented and includes a great deal of new research on topics such as natural healing in addicted clients, self-management of mental illness, a positive view of change in clients diagnosed with mental illness, the effectivenss of self-help groups, research on resilience in children and adults who have expereinced life traumas, research on the importance of spirituality and religious involvement, and new research data on the helping process. Most of research used in this book has been published since 2000. The book has a unique feature: a critical response section at the end of every chapter in which clinicans and researchers have an opportunity to critically respond to ideas presented. This, in effect, provides an evidence-based approach to the material in the book. Because the book shows the application of the strengths perpective in practice, Dr. Glicken includes examples showing how to apply the approach with complex client problems including abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, addictions, and other complex problems often dealt with by clinicans in the helping professions. The book is written for the helping professions and includes the work of Martin Seligman in Psychology on learned optimism, Robert Putnam on community life in America, and Dennis Saleebey, one of the original writers on the strengths perspective in social work.

A student-friendly introduction to social work theories and methods, drawing on current social work research.

"The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice" presents an unrivaled collection of essays that explain the strengths-based philosophy, demonstrate how it works, and provide clear and practical tools for its application. It presents a balanced approach to social work practice, in contrast to a problems-based approach, that takes into account the strengths and assets of clients and their environments. Highlights of the Fourth Edition Six New Chapters "Shifting our Habits of Mind: Learning to Practice from a Strengths Perspective" (Chapter 2) examines how social work practice was historically a more problem-focused profession and the how the current shift towards strengths plays an important part in our work. "Solving Problems from a Strengths Perspective" explores, with relevant examples, how a practitioner can take a perspective on problems that leads to strengths-based and solution-focused practices. "Strengths-Based Case Management: Enhancing Work with Persons with Substance Abuse Problems" (Chapter 8) explores the further extensions of and developments in this important and ground-breaking work. "The Resilience of Families" (Chapter11) examines those factors that promote family resilience and how they can be applied in practice. "Consciousness and Commitment: Slave Narratives in Today's Movement to End Poverty" (Chapter12) applies the lessons of the resistance movements of slaves in order to develop effective and strengths-based strategies for ending poverty. "Honoring Philosophical Traditions: The Strengths Model and the Social Environment" (Chapter 14) presents the strongest and clearest relationship between environmental resources and individual strengths in practicing from the strengths perspective. Extensive revisions of existing chapters make this a fresh, more up-to-date book that retains the passion and sensibilities of the previous editions but with innovative examples and revised, more current bibliographies. Don't Miss This Exciting Value-Added Option! Social Work Skills Demonstrated: Beginning Direct Practice CD-ROM with Student Manual, Second Edition Linda K. Cummins, "Barry University" Judith A. Sevel, "Illinois State University" Laura Pedrick, "University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee" A practical guide to development of crucial social work skills including basic counseling and interviewing techniques, in a CD-ROM format with companion student manual that allows students to work at their own pace. "Social Work Skills Demonstrated: Beginning Direct Practice CD-ROM with Student Manual" is available at a discount when packaged with this text: 0-205-47316-4.

Explains the Active Support model of care for people with intellectual disabilities and details how professionals can utilize these techniques in their practices. Original.