Empowerment Series: Direct Social Work Practice

Student video demonstrations illustrate important skills and practices described in the text, enabling students to model appropriate behavior without the pressures of facing a client. References to the videos throughout the text help students put each new skill into context. The videos are available through the accompanying MindTap®, which also offers students practice exercises and questions to evaluate their learning and skills.

The text balances fundamental theory with a practical emphasis on improving and refining students' assessment, helping and communication skills. Composed of four parts, the text begins by identifying the mission of social work, its values, and knowledge base. The authors then differentiate generalist from direct practice and explore roles of direct practitioners. Common elements among diverse theorists are examined next, followed by key intervention strategies and information about various client population and practice settings.

Rather than focusing only on clients' problems, the authors explore how social workers can better assess clients' strengths and integrate those positive attributes into the social work process.

The text is packed with examples and case studies, many drawn from social work practitioners and the authors' personal practice situations. Diversity content is integrated throughout the text, with cases exemplifying diversity in multiple forms. Skill development exercises give students myriad opportunities to put chapter concepts into action.