Cross-Cultural Social Work Practice : Purpose and Meaning

Cultural awareness in the helping professions is crucial to providing the best possible care. In this expanded new edition of Cross-Cultural Practice, the authors uniquely present factors common to diverse ethnic and cultural populations that are useful in building cross-cultural competence. Building on the existential concepts of Victor Frankl, the text provides a framework for helping families and individuals discover meaning and meaning opportunities in daily living.

The book is organized into chapters dedicated to specific population profiles. New chapters give an overview of key concepts used throughout the book and summarize the authors' theoretical approach toward cross-cultural practice.

Karen Harper-Dorton (PhD, The Ohio State University; MSW, West Virginia University) is director of the Burgess Center for West Virginia Families and Communities at West Virginia University. She has published extensively in the areas of logotherapy and rural America. Professor Harper-Dorton has served as a consultant, trainer, and supervisor to a variety of social work agencies in the Midwest.

Jim Lantz (PhD, MSW, The Ohio State University) (d. 2003) was a professor and counselor educator at the Ohio State University College of Social Work. He published extensively in the areas of existential family therapy and cross-cultural social work practice. Professor Lantz was elected graduate teacher of the year by the students at the Ohio State University College of Social work eight times, and in 2000 was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.