Competency in Generalist Practice: A Guide to Theory and Evidence-Based Decision Making

Compentency in Generalist Practice features an original and timely social work practice model that will transform the way generalist and evidence-based practice are taught. Writing with outstanding clarity and sense of purpose, Elizabeth Moore Plionis shows students to use a decision tree that will help them take a conscious, intelligent approach to solving problems they will be faced with as social workers. With both traditional and new theories incorporated into the discussion, linked to technique and set in the context of direct and indirect methods at each step of the decision hierarchy, this book is a concise but powerful tool for learning effective social work method.

Table of Contents:
1: Introduction and Presentation of the Decision Tree 2: Social Work and the Law: Fiduciary Responsibilities 3: The Policy Context of Social Work Practice 4: Communication Skills for Clinical Practice: Interviewing 5: Communication Skills for Policy, Advocacy, Management, and Community Practice 6: Relationship in Clinical Practice- The Art of Healing 7: Relationship in Non-Clinical Practice The Art of Leadership 8: Clinical Crisis Intervention: Basic, Advanced and Domain-Specific 9: Crisis Management-Disasters and Public Tragedies 10: Case Management: Serving Highly Vulnerable Client Populations 11: Case and Class Advocacy 12: Work with Individuals--Therapy 13: Case-Specific Model Building: Case Presentation 14: Family Therapy 15: Welfare Service to Children and Families 16: Use of Groups in Clinical Practice 17: Use of Groups in Policy, Advocacy, Management and Community Practice 18: Theory, Research and Predictions About the Future of Evidence-Based Practice

About the Author :
After twenty-four years of service, Dr. Plionis is retired from the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of America, where she taught several different courses across program levels and sequences and served as Assistant Dean and chair of the undergraduate social work program.

Review :
"Written with clarity, sophistication, and accessibility, this book utilizes social work and interdisciplinary writings, and is relevant to students, practitioners, and scholars interested in the practice, theory, and evidence of generalist social work."-- John R. Graham, Murray Fraser Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Canada "This text considers the student as learner in the profession. It focuses on the "how to" questions practitioners confront in everyday practice - how to determine best practice interventions in light of multiple data. The case scenarios help students learn how to apply the decision tree, a useful tool that allows the practitioner to organize and prioritize assessment for best practice decisions."-- Frank R. Baskind, Professor and Dean, School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University "Written with clarity, sophistication, and accessibility, this book utilizes social work and interdisciplinary writings, and is relevant to students, practitioners, and scholars interested in the practice, theory, and evidence of generalist social work."-- John R. Graham, Murray Fraser Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Canada "This text considers the student as learner in the profession. It focuses on the "how to" questions practitioners confront in everyday practice - how to determine best practice interventions in light of multiple data. The case scenarios help students learn how to apply the decision tree, a useful tool that allows the practitioner to organize and prioritize assessment for best practice decisions."-- Frank R. Baskind, Professor and Dean, School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University