Direct Practice Skills for Evidence-Based Social Work: A Strengths-Based Text and Workbook

Featuring an evidence- and strengths-based approach to practice methods, this new text teaches students how to apply social work skills in a variety of settings. Designed to enhance self-awareness, professionalism, ethical reasoning, cultural sensitivity, and an appreciation for social justice issues, this text introduces readers to social work’s core values and practice methods to help them assimilate the skills needed for working in the field. Cases and skills-based exercises demonstrate how to make accurate assessments and design effective intervention plans. After laying the groundwork in theory, values, and ethics, the authors review methods for working with individuals, children, and families from an individual and environmental strengths-based perspective. Client engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation and termination, and documentation are then reviewed. Readers are introduced to the foundational concepts of social work practice and through application learn to successfully work with clients.

Highlights include:

• Integrates the Council on Social Work Education’s EPAS standards and core competencies throughout, including engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, social justice, ethics, critical thinking, professional conduct and decision making, and cultural competency and diversity.
• Case scenarios in client interview format that closely resemble actual interactions, followed by questions, test readers’ understanding of the practice skills needed to work in the field.
• Skill-building exercises including individual and group activities, role plays, simulations, and discussion questions that provide an opportunity to apply one’s knowledge and skill sets.
• Personal reflections that encourage students to examine their own beliefs to help them assimilate social work ethics and values into their professional demeanor.
• Icons throughout the text that draw attention to useful tips for developing direct practice skills.
• A strengths-based approach that heightens understanding and results in a higher level of proficiency in the change process.
• Introduces challenging situations often encountered in practice to help readers acquire the more advanced practice skills necessary for assessment and intervention.
• Resources including PowerPoints, test questions, sample syllabi, and suggested answers to text exercises and discussion questions.

Elizabeth C. Pomeroy, PhD, LCSW is the Bert Kruger Smith Professorship of Mental Health and Aging at the School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin. She is the Co-Director and Co-Principal Investigator of the Institute for Health Research and Practice.

Renée Bradford Garcia, MSW, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice near Austin, Texas.