Theoretical Perspectives for Direct Social Work Practice, Third Edition: A Generalist-Eclectic Approach

Finally, a social work practice text that makes a difference! This is the book that you have wished for but could never find. Although similar to texts that cover a range of practice theories and approaches to clinical practice, this book clearly has a social work frame of reference and a social work identity Lehmann and Coady have put together an edited book that reads with coherence and integrity.

Gayla Rogers, Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

This expanded third edition of a popular textbook provides a completely revised and updated overview of the theories, models, and therapies that informdirect social work practice. The text is grounded in generalist social work principles and values and promotes a problem-solving model of social workpractice as a framework for the eclectic use of theory, as well as for integrating the artistic, reflective elements of practice. It provides in-depth coverage of select psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, critical, and postmodern theories.

The third edition features a new section on Critical Theories, where a new chapter on Empowerment Theory is included with a completely revised chapter onFeminist Theory. A new chapter on Strengths-based Social Work has been added to the section on meta-theories for social work practice. Other new chapters include Emotion-focused Therapy and Collaborative Therapy. These revisions are based on suggestions from an extensive survey of professors.

New to the Third Edition:

• A new section on critical theories
• New chapters on strengths-based social work, emotion-focused therapy, empowerment theory, and collaborative therapy
• Updated research on the debate about the importance of theory/technique versus common (e.g., relationship) factors, and on the critique of the empirically supported treatment movement
• Resources for instructors, including an Instructor's Manual and PowerPoint slides

Nick Coady, PhD, is professor and dean, Faculty of Social Work (FSW), Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Peter Lehmann PhD, LCSW is a retired Professor from the University of Texas at Arlington. His primary areas of research are in solution-focused brief therapy and batterer intervention programs.