Foundations of Interpersonal Practice in Social Work: Promoting Competence in Generalist Practice

This text takes a broad based approach to basic generalist practice methods that emphasize the common elements in working with individuals, families and groups. The goal of the book is to teach social work students how to enhance clients′ social functioning by helping them become more proficient in examining, understanding, and resolving clients′ social problems. The authors pay special attention to enhancing social justice by working with individuals and families who have been historically oppressed. This edition includes specific integrated coverage of the Council on Social Work Education′s (CSWE) latest Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Intended Audience This core text is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the introductory Direct Practice and Generalist Practice courses in BSW and MSW programs of social work.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments 1. Interpersonal Practice in Social Work: Nature and Scope Definition of Social Work Interpersonal Practice Use of Ecological Concepts The Scope of Practice The Bases of Interpersonal Practice Summary 2. Basic Assumptions and Concepts Rationale Underlying Assumptions Metaphors Basic Concepts: Client, Worker; Target, and Action Systems Summary 3. Values, Ideology, and Ethics of Professional Social Work The Ideology of the Social Work Profession The Social Work Code of Ethics Value Conflicts in Practice Practice Cases With Ethical Issues Summary 4. Interpersonal Practice Beyond Diversity and Toward Social Justice: The Importance of Critical Consciousness by Beth Clover Reed, Peter A. Newman, Zulema E. Suarez, and Edith A. Lewis What is Critical Consciousness? Mayor Dimensions of Multiculturalism and Some Terminology Key Social Group Categories and Related Terminology How Do Multiple Identities Work? Routes to Critical Consciousness and Multicultural Competence The Application of Critical Consciousness to Practice Summary 5. Violence and Trauma Recognition of Violence and Trauma Types of Trauma Assessment of Trauma Consequences of Trauma: Symptoms of Psychological and Emotional Injury Treatment Options Risk Screening Protocols Summary 6. Engagement and Relationship Definition of the Social Work Relationship Power Dimensions in Professional Relationships Stages of the Professional Relationship Transactional Nature of the Professional Relationship Why Is Relationship So Important? Conscious Use of Self Importance of Hope The Initiation of Relationships Relationships in Group Situations Relationships in Family Situations Summary 7. Becoming a Client Definition of a Client Overview of the Clienthood Process Pathways to Clienthood The Entry Process The Worker′s Tasks With Applicants Tasks With Nonclients "Significant Others" in the Client′s Life Defining the Client in a Multiperson Client System Agency Conditions and Definitions of Client Continuance and Discontinuance Orientation to the Client Role The Initiation of Problem Solving The Preliminary Contract Summary 8. Contracting Components of a Social Work Contract Characteristics of a Social Work Contract Value of the Contract Approach Limits of Contracting Contracting With Families and Groups Summary 9. Monitoring and Evaluating Change Monitoring Evaluation Side Effects Summary 10. Assessing Individuals Purposes of Assessments Issues in Use of Sources Individual Assessment Framework Stress Assessment Crisis Assessment Assessment as a "Label" PIE - The Person-in-Environment System Summary 11. Individual Change The Context of Interpersonal Change Interventive Roles Overcoming Barriers Crisis Intervention Role Solutions Summary 12. Assessing Families What Is a Family? Measurement of System Variables Family Assessment The Process of Family Assessment Obtaining Family Assessment Data Categorizing Family Circumstances Ways of Portraying Family Conditions Summary 13. Family Change Occasions for Family Interventions Prior to the First Family Session The Initial Sessions The Family Change Stage Phase of the Family Life Cycle Endings Summary 14. Assessing Groups Types of Groups Therapeutic/Effectiveness Variables Group Development Assessing Group Dynamics Summary 15. Group Change Working With Elders in a Support Group First Group Session Second Group Session The First Session of a Closed Group Leadership Interventions Interpersonal Conflict in Groups Conclusion Summary 16. Assessing Organizations and Communities Organizational Assessment Community Assessment Summary 17. Change in Organizations and Communities Ethics of Organizational and Community Change Theories of Organizational Change Community Change Summary 18. Termination The Tasks of Termination Termination Issues in Group Work Termination Issues With Families Worker Termination Problematic Terminations Summary Bibliography Index About the Authors

About the Author :
Associate Professor Emeritus Brett Seabury has a primary interest in interpersonal practice and has practiced social work in mental health and child welfare settings, as well as in the U.S. Army. His current research and teaching interests are social work education, time-limited practice, using metaphors in social work practice, and indigenous (alternative) healing systems. His most current interests involve the use of information technology in the classroom, and the use of the Internet to deliver interactive video simulations designed to teach social work practice skills. Another area of research/scholarly interest is mental health. He retired in June 2009. Charles Garvin holds his master′s and doctoral degrees from the School of Social Service Administration of the University of Chicago. He was a practitioner in social work and group work for a dozen years after his master′s degree before he studied for his PhD. He graduated from a program of the Chicago Institute of Psychoanalysis that trained child therapists. He has been on the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Social work 1965-2002 and is now Professor Emeritus of Social Work, He is the author or co-author of many books such as Contemporary Group Work, Interpersonal Practice in Social Work, Social Work in Contemporary Society, Group Work Research, and Social Work and Social Justice. He was the first chair of the now called International Association of Social Work with Groups after it became a membership organization. He is a past chair of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work. He has written over 50 articles and book chapters on social work, research, and group work, He is the co-editor of two editions of the Handbook of Social Work with Groups.