Author Description

An all-in-one, easy-reference resource, this book summarizes the key principles, practice frameworks, techniques, and procedures that guide social workers in their daily practice. It discusses professional development, issues professionals face in the field today, and skills common to all social work. And it presents a step-by-step summary of the process involved in serving as an agent of planned change. Parts I and II summarize the essential foundation elements of social work practice; Parts III and IV then set out 160 techniques and guidelines for practitioners. This edition adds new techniques for dealing with managed care and new sections on working with battered women; gay, lesbian, or bisexual clients; clients with eating disorders; and clients experiencing grief or loss. There is also material on using critical thinking and decision making to facilitate change, assessing and responding to a suicide risk or a child's need for protection, cultural competence, workload and caseload management, budgeting, marketing and fund-raising, dealing with the media, and balancing a professional career with a rewarding personal life. For social workers entering the field or changing career directions, or anyone looking for an up-to-date summary of the field.