The Routledge Handbook Of Social Work Theory (routledge International Handbooks)

The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Theory provides an interdisciplinary and international introduction to social work theory. It presents an analytical review of the wide array of theoretical ideas that influence social work on a global scale. It sets the agenda for future trends within social work theory. Separated into four parts, this handbook examines important themes within the discourses on social work theory, as well as offering a critical evaluation of how theoretical ideas influence social work as a profession and in practice. It includes a diverse range of interdisciplinary topics, covering the aims and nature of social work, social work values and ethics, social work practice theories and the use of theory in different fields of practice. The contributors show how and why theory is so important to social work and analyze the impact these concepts have made on social intervention. Bringing together an international team of leading academics within the social work field and newer contributors close to practice, this handbook is essential reading for all those studying social work, as well as practitioners, policymakers and those involved in the associated fields of health and social care. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of figures 12 List of tables 13 List of contributors 14 Introduction 22 Part 1 The aims and nature of social work 26 1 Social work theory, knowledge and practice 28 2 Theoretical aspects of social work – from eclecticism to integration 39 3 Psychological and counselling theory in social work: a critical overview 49 4 Epistemic discourses of ‘explanation’ and ‘understanding’ in assessment models 62 5 Theorizing social work in the domains of culture, politics and society 76 6 Paradigm shift? Biomedical science and social work thinking 89 Part 2 Theory about social work values 102 7 Care and caring 104 8 Autonomy and dependence 116 9 Empathy, respect and dignity in social work 130 10 The interpretation of social justice, equality and inequality in social work: a view from the US 143 11 Spirituality and secularity 156 Part 3 Theories of social work practice 170 12 Relational social work 172 13 Contemporary attachment theory: how can it inform social workers? 181 14 How green is social work? Towards an ecocentric turn in social work 192 15 Theory on systems, complexity and chaos 202 16 Cognitive-behavioural therapy and social work practice 214 17 Task-centred practice 226 18 Strengths perspective: critical analysis of the influence on social work 237 19 Solution-focused practice in social work 245 20 Motivational interviewing’s theory of practice for social work: promises and pitfalls 257 21 Narrative social work: key concepts 267 22 Mindfulness and social work 277 23 Indigenist social work practice 289 24 The social pedagogy dimension of social work activity 303 25 Locality-based social development: a theoretical perspective for social work 315 26 Critical theory and social work: historical context and contemporary manifestations 329 27 The return of macro approaches in social work 340 28 Empowerment ideas in social work 352 29 Anti-oppressive practice 361 30 Advocacy ideas in social work 371 31 Feminist ideas in social work 382 Part 4 Theory in practice 392 32 Family social work practice 394 33 Theory for social work with children 404 34 Safeguarding children and the use of theory in practice 416 35 Child and adolescent mental health: a psychosocial perspective 426 36 Theories of mental health 435 37 Social work and addiction 444 38 Disability theory and social work practice 456 39 Accommodating cognitive differences: new ideas for social work with people with intellectual disabilities 469 40 Social work theory and older people 482 41 Holistic end-of-life care in social work 495 Index 504 The Routledge Handbook Of Social Work Theoryprovides An Interdisciplinary And International Introduction To Social Work Theory. It Presents An Analytical Review Of The Wide Array Of Theoretical Ideas That Influence Social Work On A Global Scale. It Sets The Agenda For Future Trends Within Social Work Theory. Separated Into Four Parts, This Handbook Examines Important Themes Within The Discourses On Social Work Theory, As Well As Offering A Critical Evaluation Of How Theoretical Ideas Influence Social Work As A Profession And In Practice. It Includes A Diverse Range Of Interdisciplinary Topics, Covering The Aims And Nature Of Social Work, Social Work Values And Ethics, Social Work Practice Theories And The Use Of Theory In Different Fields Of Practice. The Contributors Show How And Why Theory Is So Important To Social Work And Analyse The Impact These Concepts Have Made On Social Interventions. Bringing Together An International Team Of Leading Academics Within The Social Work Field And Newer Contributors Close To Practice, This Handbook Is Essential Reading For All Those Studying Social Work, As Well As Practitioners, Policy-makers, And Those Involved In The Associated Fields Of Health And Social Care. Eading Academics Within The Social Work Field And Newer Contributors Close To Practice, This Handbook Is Essential Reading For All Those Studying Social Work, As Well As Practitioners, Policy-makers, And Those Involved In The Associated Fields Of Health And Social Care.