Through proven learning experiences that are as close to real-life practice as can be obtained from a book, DIRECT SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE: THEORY AND SKILLS prepares social work students for effective work in the field. Many of the case examples are drawn from social work practitioners as well as the authors' own practice situations. Long praised for its appropriate level of rigor, the book integrates the major theories and skills that direct social work practitioners need to understand and master--thus giving the book its reputation as the classic source for helping students learn direct practice skills. Consisting of four parts, the book 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 amongst diverse theorists are then examined while key intervention strategies and various client population and practice settings are presented. Specifically, Part One provides the foundational/values and knowledge base material; Part Two is devoted to the beginning phase of the helping process; Part Three addresses the middle phase (goal attainment strategies), discussing four intervention approaches; and Part Four clarifies the termination phase of direct practice.

"I believe this is one of the best textbooks available for this course."

Ronald Rooney is a Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. He has been a practitioner in child welfare, community mental health and school social work. Dr. Rooney is also the author of Strategies for Work with Involuntary Clients. He was the 2004 winner of the Academic Leadership Award of the College of Human Ecology, University of Minnesota.Glenda Dewberry Rooney is a Professor, Department of Social Work, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Now a full co-author, she was a contributing author to the Sixth Edition of DIRECT SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE, THEORY AND SKILLS. She teaches graduate and undergraduate practice methods, as well as macro practice courses in organizations and administration. Her extensive experience as a trainer and consultant includes working with agencies concerned with children, youth and families, and community based research.Kim Strom-Gottfried also a contributor to the Sixth Edition of DIRECT SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE and now a full-co-author, is a Professor at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work where she teaches in the areas of direct practice, communities and organizations, and human resource management. Kim's scholarly interests involve ethics, managed care, and social work education. She provides training and consultation and research related to private practice, ethics and managed care.

PART 1: INTRODUCTION. 1. The Challenges of Social Work. 2. Direct Practice: Domain, Philosophy, and Roles. 3. Overview of the Helping Process. 4. Operationalizing the Cardinal Social Work Values. PART 2: EXPLORING, ASSESSING, AND PLANNING. 5. Building Blocks of Communication: Communicating with Empathy and Authenticity. 6. Verbal Following, Exploring, and Focusing Skills. 7. Eliminating Counterproductive Communication Patterns. 8. Assessment: Exploring and Understanding Problems and Strengths. 9. Assessment: Intrapersonal and Environmental Factors. 10. Assessing Family Functioning in Diverse Family and Cultural Contexts. 11. Forming and Assessing Social Work Groups. 12. Negotiating Goals and Formulating a Contract. PART 3: THE CHANGE-ORIENTED PHASE. 13. Planning and Implementing Change-Oriented Strategies. 14. Developing Resources, Planning, and Advocacy as Intervention Strategies. 15. Enhancing Family Relationships. 16. Intervening in Social Work Groups. 17. Additive Empathy, Interpretation, and Confrontation. 18. Managing Barriers to Change. PART 4: THE TERMINATION PHASE. 19. The Final Phase: Evaluation and Termination.