Using Strengths Perspective : Social Work

This research-oriented textbook applies the strengths perspective to complex client problems such as abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, and addictions.

It includes new research on topics such as natural healing in addicted clients, self-management of mental illness, the effectiveness of self-help groups, resiliency in children and adults who have experienced life traumas, the importance of spirituality and religious involvement, and new data on the helping process. The work of Martin Seligman on learned optimism, Robert Putnam on community life in America, and Dennis Saleebey on the strengths perspective in social work are included.

Features :

• A unique critical response section at the end of every chapter gives clinicians and researchers an opportunity to critically respond to ideas presented.
• Most of the research has been published since 2000.
• Case studies throughout present an evidence-based approach on how to apply the strengths perspective to complex client problems.
• Includes chapters on spirituality, religious involvement, and ethnicity that show the reader the way the strengths perspective works with issues that are primary to the use of this approach.

All chapters include an "Introduction" "Summary," "Integrative Questions," and "References."

Preface.
Acknowledgement.
Dedication.

I. THE CORE BELIEFS OF THE STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE.

1. Introduction to the Strengths Perspective.

A Definition of the Strengths Perspective.
Elements of the Strengths Perspective.
Case Study: An Unemployed Executive.
Discussion.
Concerns Regarding The Strengths Perspective.
Response.
Concerns About the Strengths Perspective from Practitioners.
Discussion.

2. A Strengths Model of Diagnosis.

A Partial List of Client Strengths.
Diagnosing Negative Behaviors.
Discussion.

3. The Strengths Perspective: Psychosocial Assessments.

Case Study: Mr. Solomon.
Discussion of the Case.
Using the Strength's Perspective with Mr. Solomon.
A Critical Response.

4. Spiritual and Religious Beliefs (with Liza Frasier).

Case Study: Sam and Ed.
Training Helping Professionals to Use Spirituality and Religion.
A Critical Response.

5. The Strengths Perspective and the Client-Worker Relationship.

Relationships and the Strengths Perspective.
The Elements of the Helping Relationship in the Strengths Perspective.
Guidelines for Establishing Rapport.
A Critical Response.

6. Resilience and the Strengths Perspective.

Bobby: A Maltreated Child.
Discussion.
Treating Resilient Children.
Janie: A Resilient Sexually Molested Child in Treatment.
Discussion.
The Two of Us: Poem.
A Resilient Child Copes with Adulthood.
Discussion.
Critical Response.

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE: TWO EXAMPLES.

7. Utilizing the Strengths Perspective with the Culturally Traditional Latino Client in Crisis (with Mina Garza).

The Latino Way of Resolving Crisis.
Culturally Relevant Work with Latino Clients.
General Principles of Latino Crisis Intervention.
The Landscape of Latino Crisis.
Critical Response.

8. The Ethnically Asian Client in Crisis and the Strengths Perspective: A Collectivist Approach (with Steven Ino).

Understanding the Elements of Collectivism.
When Asian Clients Fail to Cope.
Treatment Issues Involving the Collective Self.
Bicultural Identity Development.
Case Study: Jennifer.
Significant Euro American-Asian American Relationship.
Case Study: James and Lisa.
Significant Loss.
Case Study: Keiko.
Family Expulsion.
Case Study: Nguyen.
Dysfunctional Asian American Family.
Case Study: Jane.
A Critical Response.

III. THE HELPING IMPULSE OF THE COMMUNITY.

9. Natural Helpers: Community Strengths.

Natural Helpers.
A Case Study.
Discussion.
Promotoras: Bridging the Gap Between the Community and Professionals.
Discussion.
Self-Help Groups.
A Case Study.
Discussion.
Positive Psychology.
Mentoring.
Critical Response.

IV. THE STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE WITH SPECIAL POPULATIONS.

10. The Strengths Perspective with Abusive Clients and Their Victims.

Case Study: Abusive Behavior.
Discussion.
Case Study: Victim of Abusive Behavior.
Discussion.
Effectiveness Research.
Critical Response Perspective with Substance Abusers.
Treatment Effectiveness Research.
Case Study: Alcohol Abuse.
Discussion.
Case Study: Drug Abuse.
Critical Response.

11. The Strengths Perspective with the Mentally Ill.

Definitions of Mental Illness.
Treatment Effectiveness Research.
Case Study: Questions About DSM-IV.
Discussion.
Case Study: Medication and Treatment.
Discussion.
Critical Response.

12. The Strengths Perspective with Illness, Disability, and Dying.

Serious Illness.
Case Study.
Discussion.
Disability.
Case Study.
Discussion.
Dying
Case Study.
Discussion.
Critical Response.

13. The Strengths Perspective with Aging Clients.

Treatment Considerations.
Effectiveness Research.
Case Study: Depression.
Discussion.
Case Study: Death of a Spouse.
Discussion.
Critical Response.

V. A STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE APPROACH TO SOCIAL CHANGE.

14. Social Change.

The Strengths Perspective View of the Worker as Social Change Agent.
Socially Responsible Behavior in Clients.
Institutional Change.
Critical Response.
Index