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Social Work Skills for Beginning Direct Practice: Text, Workbook and Interactive Multimedia Case Studies, 4th edition

Published by Pearson (March 6, 2018) © 2018

  • Linda K. Cummins Northcentral University
  • Judith A. Sevel Illinois State University

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Social Work Skills for Beginning Direct Practice: Text, Workbook and Interactive Multimedia Case Studies offers: 

  • A unique text/workbook format with interactive case studies that allows students to learn at their own pace, think critically, interact with web-based clients, and evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions.
    • Book-specific interactive case studies—foster care, veteran, substance abuse, juvenile, medical, income instability, domestic violence, age-diverse, and culturally diverse clients—contain diverse cases with concept maps, a preferred navigation path, and online instructor narration. The preferred navigational path takes students step-by-step through the interviewing skills, attending behaviors, and common pitfalls they may face in direct practice.
      • NEW: A new video case study of a homeless Afghanistan war veteran with addiction and mental health challenges helps students relate to clients currently being served by social workers in a variety of practice settings.
    • A Workbook (the last chapter of the text) containing over 200 assessment questions and useful exercises tests student mastery of core competencies and includes explanations of each competency.
    • NEW: A new Appendix E provides video case summaries and links to the full cases for easy access and planning by instructors.
  • A complete exploration of all phases of the helping process, which includes: engagement, intake, assessment, planning & contracting, treatment, evaluation, and termination.
  • Coverage of attending behaviors, and basic interviewing skills such as lead-in responses, paraphrasing, and reflection of feelings, as well as more advanced skills such as confrontation and summarization that make each chapter accessible to the reader.
  • A focus on increasing cultural awareness and cultural competency skills by teaching students how to apply essential interviewing skills within the context of social work values, ethics, and mission, and how to work effectively with diverse client groups.
  • Integrated social work practice theory, policy, therapeutic approaches, and evaluation techniques to provide students with the essential elements of direct social work practice with individuals.
  • Integrated CSWE EPAS that help students apply CSWE Core Competencies by:
    • Explaining why the core competencies are important.
    • Describing each of the 10 core competencies and practice behavior examples using a complete CSWE EPAS grid.
    • Including chapter-specific practice behavior coverage in the text.
    • Including complete core competency coverage by chapter in the text.
    • Listing core competencies in the table of contents under each heading.
    • Highlighting the core competencies addressed throughout the chapter in chapter-opening grids.
    • Integrating competency-based critical-thinking questions that tie to both competency application and chapter content.
    • Assessing students’ competency in sections that rate how well students understand key concepts from the chapter.
  • UPDATED: Greater integration of social work values and ethics into the practice process to reflect CSWE Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior.
    • The section on confidentiality discussed in Chapter 8 on engagement in the 3rd edition has been moved to Chapter 2 in the 4th edition where the concept of confidentiality is first introduced and s now expanded.
  • UPDATED: More material that focuses on CSWE Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Differences in Practice.
    • Cultural Competence boxes can be found throughout the chapters and the Workbook (the last chapter in the book) to better infuse cultural knowledge into all stages of the helping process.
    • Part B of the Workbook now includes questions that focus on aspects of client diversity. These questions can be responded to individually or discussed in small groups.
  • NEW: A new feature that accentuates CSWE Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice.
    • Policy to Practice boxes help students strengthen their understanding of the connection between agency, state, and federal social welfare and public policies, and direct practice with clients—and demonstrate more clearly how policy directs practice.
  • NEW: A new chapter that increases understanding of CSWE Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals as the Social Worker Facilitates Effective Transitions and Endings.
    • A new chapter 13 (replacing the former chapter 13) more fully discusses client termination in the helping process. A  richer treatment of the importance of termination is offered to help students understand the fundamental process of preparing clients for termination early in the helping process.
  • UPDATED: An expanded discussion on practice evaluation to reflect CSWE Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
    • An expanded Chapter 12 on evaluation includes a section on the use of single-subject design in evaluating client progress in a more scientific manner that supports the development of evidence-based practice.
  • NEW: Learning Outcomes that help guide and orient students as they acquire new knowledge and skills.
  • UPDATED: References are updated and increased by 30% to reflect the latest developments in the social work knowledge base on beginning direct practice.

This title is also available with Revel access.

Dynamic content designed for the way today's students read, think, and learn brings concepts to life.

  • Integrated within the narrative, videos of case studies and other interactive content (e.g. multi-part scenarios, video-based Now You Try It exercises, and Apply It video links with reflective questions) empower students to engage with concepts and modeled skills and take an active role in learning. REVEL's unique presentation of media as an intrinsic part of course content brings the features of this popular title to life. Multiple video examples of each practice skill are embedded throughout, but especially in the practice skills chapters 5, 6, and 7, to allow students instant viewing and practicing of each skill as it is presented and applied.
  • Located throughout REVEL, multiple-choice section quizzes afford students opportunities to check their understanding at regular intervals before moving on. In Chapters 5 through 8, Video Assessment quizzes are multiple choice in format, asking students to select the best item based on video content. A Chapter Review assessment is also provided.
  • Short-answer application items in the Workbook (presented as the final chapter, not a separate product) provide question prompts that encourage students to reflect on and apply their knowledge with feedback provided to scaffold student learning.
  • The REVEL mobile app lets students read, practice, and study—anywhere, anytime, on any device. Content is available both online and offline, and the app syncs work across all registered devices automatically, giving students great flexibility to toggle between phone, tablet, and laptop as they move through their day. The app also lets students set assignment notifications to stay on top of all due dates.
  • Highlighting, note taking, and a glossary let students read and study however they like. Educators can add notes for students, too, including reminders or study tips. 

Superior assignability and tracking tools help educators make sure students are completing their reading and understanding core concepts

  • REVEL’s assignment calendar allows educators to indicate precisely which readings must be completed on which dates. This clear, detailed schedule helps students stay on task by eliminating any ambiguity as to which material will be covered during each class. When they understand exactly what is expected of them, students are better motivated to keep up.
  • REVEL’s performance dashboard empowers educators to monitor class assignment completion as well as individual student achievement. Actionable information, such as points earned on quizzes and tests and time on task, helps educators intersect with their students in meaningful ways. For example, the trending column reveals whether students' grades are improving or declining, helping educators to identify students who might need help to stay on track.
  • REVEL’s Blackboard Learnâ„¢ integration provides institutions, instructors, and students easy access to their REVEL courses. With single sign-on, students can be ready to access REVEL’s interactive blend of authors' narrative, media, and assessment on their first day. Flexible, on-demand grade synchronization capabilities allow educators to control exactly which REVEL grades should be transferred to the Blackboard Gradebook.

Social Work Skills for Beginning Direct Practice: Text, Workbook andInteractive Multimedia Case Studies include:

  • A new video case study of a homeless Afghanistan war veteran with addiction and mental health challenges helps students relate to clients currently being served by social workers in a variety of practice settings.
  • Greater integration of social work values and ethics into the practice process to reflect CSWE Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior.
    • The section on confidentiality discussed in Chapter 8 on engagement in the 3rd edition has been moved to Chapter 2 in the 4th edition where the concept of confidentiality is first introduced and s now expanded.
  • More material that focuses on CSWE Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Differences in Practice.
    • Cultural Competence boxes can be found throughout the chapters and the Workbook (the last chapter in the book) to better infuse cultural knowledge into all stages of the helping process.
    • Part B of the Workbook now includes questions that focus on aspects of client diversity. These questions can be responded to individually or discussed in small groups.
  • A new feature that accentuates CSWE Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice.
    • Policy to Practice boxes help students strengthen their understanding of the connection between agency, state, and federal social welfare and public policies, and direct practice with clients—and demonstrate more clearly how policy directs practice.
  • A new chapter that increases understanding of CSWE Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals as the Social Worker Facilitates Effective Transitions and Endings.
    • A new chapter 13 (replacing the former chapter 13) more fully discusses client termination in the helping process. A richer treatment of the importance of termination is offered to help students understand the fundamental process of preparing clients for termination, early in the helping process.
  • An expanded discussion on practice evaluation to reflect CSWE Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
    • An expanded Chapter 12 on evaluation includes a section on the use of single-subject design in evaluating client progress in a more scientific manner that supports the development of evidence-based practice.
  • Learning Outcomes that help guide and orient students as they acquire new knowledge and skills.
  • References are updated and increased by 30% to reflect the latest developments in the social work knowledge base on beginning direct practice.
  • A new Appendix E provides video case summaries and links to the full cases for easy access and planning by instructors.

This title is also available with Revel access.

Dynamic content designed for the way today's students read, think, and learn brings concepts to life.

  • Integrated within the narrative, videos of case studies and other interactive content (e.g. multi-part scenarios, video-based Now You Try It exercises, and Apply It video links with reflective questions) empower students to engage with concepts and modeled skills and take an active role in learning. REVEL's unique presentation of media as an intrinsic part of course content brings the features of this popular title to life. Multiple video examples of each practice skill are embedded throughout, but especially in the practice skills chapters 5, 6, and 7, to allow students instant viewing and practicing of each skill as it is presented and applied.
  • Located throughout REVEL, multiple-choice section quizzes afford students opportunities to check their understanding at regular intervals before moving on. In Chapters 5 through 8, Video Assessment quizzes are multiple choice in format, asking students to select the best item based on video content. A Chapter Review assessment is also provided.
  • Short-answer application items in the Workbook (presented as the final chapter, not a separate product) provide question prompts that encourage students to reflect on and apply their knowledge with feedback provided to scaffold student learning.
  • The REVEL mobile app lets students read, practice, and study–anywhere, anytime, on any device. Content is available both online and offline, and the app syncs work across all registered devices automatically, giving students great flexibility to toggle between phone, tablet, and laptop as they move through their day. The app also lets students set assignment notifications to stay on top of all due dates.
  • Highlighting, note taking, and a glossary let students read and study however they like. Educators can add notes for students, too, including reminders or study tips. 

Superior assignability and tracking tools help educators make sure students are completing their reading and understanding core concepts

  • REVEL’s assignment calendar allows educators to indicate precisely which readings must be completed on which dates. This clear, detailed schedule helps students stay on task by eliminating any ambiguity as to which material will be covered during each class. When they understand exactly what is expected of them, students are better motivated to keep up.
  • REVEL’s performance dashboard empowers educators to monitor class assignment completion as well as individual student achievement. Actionable information, such as points earned on quizzes and tests and time on task, helps educators intersect with their students in meaningful ways. For example, the trending column reveals whether students' grades are improving or declining, helping educators to identify students who might need help to stay on track.
  • REVEL’s Blackboard Learnâ„¢ integration provides institutions, instructors, and students easy access to their REVEL courses. With single sign-on, students can be ready to access REVEL’s interactive blend of authors' narrative, media, and assessment on their first day. Flexible, on-demand grade synchronization capabilities allow educators to control exactly which REVEL grades should be transferred to the Blackboard Gradebook.

Brief Contents

  1. An Introduction to Social Work and the Helping Process
  2. Values and Ethics in Social Work
  3. Theory-Directed Social Work Practice
  4. The Cultural Context of Practice: Using Interviewing Skills Effectively
  5. Basic Skills for Direct Practice
  6. Advanced Social Work Skills for Direct Practice
  7. Common Errors in Direct Practice
  8. Intake and Engagement
  9. The Assessment Process
  10. Problem Identification, Planning, and Contracting
  11. Treatment and Intervention
  12. Practice Evaluation
  13. Termination

Appendix A: Professional Writing and Documentation Guidelines

Appendix B: HIPAA and Confidentiality Issues

Appendix C: Practice Tools: Examples

Appendix D: De-Escalation Techniques

Appendix E: Full Case Studies

Workbook

Dr. Linda Cummins earned her MSW and PhD from the Ohio State University with a focus on homeless populations, rural women and communities and policy practice. She has been a social work researcher and educator for 25 years in the bricks & mortar, and online environments teaching courses in research methodology, social policy and social welfare, and ethics and diversity; and, conducting research with homeless populations (rural, urban, Appalachian women, poly-addicted severely mentally ill), community partnerships among social service agencies, and technology in social work education. Dr. Cummins has served as chair of many curriculum and technology committees, as an online curriculum designer and consultant, and has presented at national conferences on diversity in social work practice and education, homeless populations and service provision, technology in social work education, and ethic of care for aging populations. Dr. Cummins is author of Policy Practice of Social Workers: New Strategies for a New Era, with co-authors Katherine Byers and Laura Pedrick. Dr. Cummins is currently a professor in the graduate school of Northcentral University where she chairs dissertation committees across disciplines and serves as the co-chair of the Institutional Review Board. She resides on her multigenerational organic farm on the South Coast of Oregon.

Judith Sevel is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (BASW) and Howard University (MSW), and has been a social work practitioner and educator since 1984. She has practiced in the fields of mental health, domestic violence, family and children services, incarcerated juveniles, and people with developmental disabilities. Recently she retired from Illinois State University, after serving as the Director of Field Education for the BSW and MSW programs. While at ISU, Judith taught courses in interviewing and assessment, and Field Seminar classes at all three levels of practice. Judith has been a disaster mental health services volunteer and a facilitator for the Reconnection Workshops for Military Families  through the American Red Cross since 2001.  She is also a certified mediator  in Small Claims, Child Protection, and Divorce and Custody mediation with the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in McLean County, IL. 

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