Shame and Social Work: Theory, Reflexivity and Practice

For many service users and professionals in the field of social work, shame is an ongoing part of their daily experience.

Providing an in-depth examination of the complex phenomena of shame and humiliation, this book sets out key contextual issues and theoretical approaches to comprehend shame and its relevance within social work. It provides a broad understanding of shame, its underlying social and political contexts and its effects on service users and professionals.

The book uses innovative international scholarship and includes theoretical considerations, as well as empirical findings within the field of social work. It shows the importance of sensitive, reflective and relationship-oriented practice based on a better understanding of the complexity of shame.

Mark Hardy is Honorary Fellow in Social Work at the University of York. He writes on social work theory and practice, particularly the nature of risk within mental health and forensic social work.

Matthew Gibson is a Lecturer in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Birmingham.

Elizabeth Frost is an Associate Professor at the University of the West of England, UK.

Veronika Magyar-Haas is Professor in Educational Science, University of Freiburg, Switzerland.

Holger Schoneville is a Senior Lecturer in social work at Dortmund University, Germany