In this innovative book Fabio Folgheraiter presents a systematic introduction to networking and reflexive practice in social work. The text explores how the interested parties in social care can acquire a shared power in care planning and decision making and that when this networking occurs, the efficacy of caring initiatives increases.
This text introduces social workers to the burgeoning feminist scholarship on relational theories and their practical application with diverse populations. It emphasizes the application of the basic relational concepts in a readable and comprehensive way, developing an approach to practice which is useful for both social workers and clients.
Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice traces the development of relational ideas from their origin in object relations and self psychology to their evolution in current relational, intersubjectivity, and attachment theory. Relational treatment emphasizes openness and collaboration between client and therapist, mutual impact, the client's subjectivity, and the therapist's empathy, genuineness, and use of the self in therapeutic interaction. The approach treats the relationship and dialogue between client and therapist as crucial to the change process and shows how the therapeutic relationship can be used to help clients and therapists bridge differences, examine similarities, overcome impasses, and manage enactments. The relational emphasis on the subjective experience of both client and therapist is beautifully illustrated throughout this book as the authors draw from their clinical work with clients from diverse backgrounds, including gay and lesbian clients, immigrants, and clients of color. They demonstrate how relational principles and techniques can be applied to multiple problems in social work practice& mdash;for example, life crises and transitions, physical and sexual abuse, mental disorders, drug addiction, and the loss of a loved one. The authors also discuss the integration of relational constructs in short-term treatment and with families and groups. This volume opens with a historical perspective on the role of relational thinking in social work and the evolution of relational theory. It presents an overview of the key concepts in relational theory and its application throughout the treatment process with diverse clients and in different practice modalities. The book concludes with a discussion of the challenges in learning and teaching new theoretical and practice paradigms, particularly in creating a more mutual exchange in the classroom and during supervision.
This comprehensive guide to relationship-based practice in social work communicates the theory using illustrative case studies and offers a model for practice. Updated and expanded, it now includes increased coverage of anti-oppressive and diversity issues, service user perspectives and systemic approaches in social work. The book explores the ranges of emotions that practitioners may encounter with service users, and covers working in both short-term and long-term professional relationships. It also outlines key skills, such as how to establish rapport, and explores systemic issues, such as building appropriate support systems for practice, management and leadership.
Relational Theory for Clinical Practice offers students and practitioners a conceptual framework for thinking relationally about social work with clients within a biological, psychological, and socio-cultural framework. Integrating relational theory with the principles of clinical practice, and demonstrating how this can be applied to social work practice, this book has been revised and updated to be suitable for students. Using plenty of case material to demonstrate the theory in action, the new edition incorporates teaching points to aid readers in drawing out the practice principles developed in each chapter. Keeping relationships at the center of the text, this edition includes substantially expanded chapters on assessment and intervention, and takes into account recent research on issues such as the impact of trauma and stress; neuroscience and brain research; and the necessity of practicing in a culturally sensitive way with diverse populations. It broadens the feminist focus of relational-cultural theory by extending and applying it to men also. Designed for use on master's level courses in practice, as well as courses on human behavior and the social environment, this concise and practical book is a valuable text for social work and counseling students.
This book explores the concept of relational care, what it feels like for older people and for carers, why it makes life happier and how those involved in residential or community care can make it work. Relational care is gaining traction as its benefits to individuals and society become recognised. This accessible book, based on real-life models and in-depth interviews, explores fresh ways that relational care can be facilitated in a variety of settings. It looks at practice in terms of team management, support for care workers, technology, design and architecture, intergenerational and multidisciplinary models, and their implications for resilience, wellbeing, policy and future funding. Chapters are arranged by theme and provide descriptions, learning points and resources for each model, as well as incorporating a wealth of interviews giving insights into the lived experience of relational care. This is a lively book full of realistic ideas and information for everyone who wants to find out more about, access or implement the best in care – the best for older people, their families, care workers, management and society.
Child and Family Practice: A Relational Perspective, Second Edition presents important guidelines and principles for working with children, their families, and their service-providing organizations. It is grounded in the traditional social work theories of relationship with emphasis on three core concepts: relational connection, evidence-guided knowledge, and reflexivity. With this text students can connect theory to evidence-based practice and use realistic case studies for classroom role-play and engaging discussion. Cohen Konrad's goal is to help students connect science, theory, and the human qualities necessary to effect positive change and inspire hope in the lives of children and families.
"Roger Hennessey has written a wonderfully warm and readable book about the importance of a relationship-based approach to social work practice. It is full of wisdom, humanity, and commonsense. The book is rich with examples and exercises. You know that you are in the hands of an expert whose skill, experience and understanding shine and reassure on every page." Professor David Howe, School of Social work and Psychology, University of East Anglia Human relationships lie at the very heart of social work practice, and an understanding of their importance is a crucial aspect of training. This book considers the place of relationships in current practice and explores the ways in which social workers can use relationship skills to achieve the best possible outcomes for their clients. The book also offers a unique discussion of the social worker′s relationship with him or herself, arguing that self-awareness is as essential to good practice as an emotional understanding of the other. In doing so, the book promotes a new model for relationship-based social work, which emphasises the importance of both the inter- and intrapersonal. Opening with an introduction to the theoretical bases of the relationship-based model, the book then focuses on their direct application to social work practice. Key topics include: -Self-awareness and using oneself -Knowing the other person -Sustaining oneself -The ethics of relationship-based social work -Internalising knowledge, skills and values Using reflective exercises and case studies, the book encourages students to relate the tools they have learnt to practice scenarios from the real world, and is essential reading for all qualifying social work students.
Many of the people served by social workers draw upon spirituality, by whatever names they call it, to help them thrive, to succeed at challenges, and to infuse their resources and relationships with meaning beyond mere survival value. This revised and expanded edition of a classic provides a comprehensive framework of values, knowledge, skills, and evidence for spiritually sensitive practice with diverse clients. Weaving together interdisciplinary theory and research, as well as the results from a national survey of practitioners, the authors describe a spiritually oriented model for practice that places clients' challenges and goals within the context of their deepest meanings and highest aspirations. Using richly detailed case examples and thought-provoking activities, this highly accessible text illustrates the professional values and ethical principles that guide spiritually sensitive practice. It presents definitions and conceptual models of spirituality and religion; draws connections between spiritual diversity and cultural, gender, and sexual orientation diversity; and offers insights from Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Indigenous religions, Islam, Judaism, Existentialism, and Transpersonal theory. Eminently practical, it guides professionals in understanding and assessing spiritual development and related mental health issues and outlines techniques that support transformation and resilience, such as meditation, mindfulness, ritual, forgiveness, and engagement of individual and community-based spiritual support systems. For social workers and other professional helpers committed to supporting the spiritual care of individuals, families, and communities, this definitive guide offers state-of-the-art interdisciplinary and international insights as well as practical tools that students and practitioners alike can put to immediate use.