How can you make necessary professional judgments without being judgmental? Assessment and diagnostic skills are essential professional tools for the social worker, but all too often they are neglected or downplayed. Diagnosis in Social Work argues for the reinstatement of social diagnosis to its former place as an essential concept in social work. This courageous book demonstrates the detrimental impact of the loss of diagnostic skills on the quality of social work intervention. Combining meticulous history with insightful analysis, Diagnosis in Social Work shows how the concept of diagnosis in social work has been misunderstood. It examines the negative, narrow definition of diagnosis offered in commonly used texts. Diagnosis in Social Work includes the tools you need to use the power of correct, careful diagnosis, including: case examples of social work diagnoses a thorough profile of the judgments constituting a social work diagnosis suggestions to enhance diagnostic acumen an analysis of diagnosis as a process and a fact ways to use computers in diagnosis an assessment of the risks of diagnosis Diagnosis in Social Work includes everything social work practitioners need to know about the process and meaning of this sorely neglected part of the field. It is an ideal textbook as well, and it offers suggestions for further research.

The unifying theme of this broad-reaching volume is that responsible, ethical, and effective social work practice rests on the diagnostic skills of the practitioner. Social work diagnosis refers to the conscious formulation of an ongoing set of decisions about the client and his or her situation, which serve as the basis for intervention-decisions for which the practitioner must be prepared to take responsibility. Diagnostic skill development is an ongoing process principally enhanced by a continuous commitment to remain at the cutting edge of the profession's body of knowledge, but one of the challenges for today's practitioner is keeping abreast of the rapidly expanding body of knowledge contained in some 200 important social work periodicals in circulation. Francis J. Turner, a preeminent clinical scholar, brings together in one volume some of the best work published since 2000, each reflecting new insights into understanding psychosocial situations and innovative methods of applying knowledge and skills in an increasingly effective manner. Each of the 78 articles in this volume highlights some of the critical dimensions of contemporary social work practice, guiding clinicians to address four key aspects in order to craft an accurate diagnosis. The first section presents articles covering the developmental spectrum, each of which fully explains various ages and stages of development. The second section focuses on a range of specific situations, helping practitioners and students enrich their understanding of different types of problems they meet in contemporary practice, whether they are based in mental illness, psychosocial issues, or physical ailments. The third section addressesthe crucial component of diversity, demonstrating the complexity and critical importance of truly understanding clients and their lives. The last section of the book discusses innovative approaches to practice, selected to offer practitioners easy access to the latest interventions for a host of contemporary challenges facing clients and their therapists. Broad in scope and tightly focused on the goal of providing the most up-to-date information necessary for accuracy in the diagnostic process, this volume represents some of the best research available to today's social workers.

The purpose of the book is to enhance the concept of Technique in the teaching and practice of Social Work. Over the years Technique has not been stressed as a part of practice even though the actual practice of Social Work consists of the utilization of techniques in addition to theory and the process of assessment and diagnosis. The book seeks to achieve its goal in four ways. It addresses the way the concept of Tchnique has or has not been used over the years. It addresses the need for a clear definition of technique. It analysis the qualities that Technique should have at this point in our history of clinical practice. It then formulates and presents a definition of technique for our thesis based on this definition. It then presents a brief discussion of 101 Techniques discussed in contemporary literature by discussing each one's place in practice a bit about its history and necessary knowledge skills to use responsibly. It addresses the latter by grouping a level of risk involved in its utilization.

The most comprehensive textbook for students in advanced social work and mental health courses is now completely revised and updated for a new generation
When "Adult Psychopathology: A Social Work Perspective" was first published in 1984, this pioneering text was the first to conceptualize and organize theory and practice about the treatment of the mentally ill within their families and communities from a social work perspective. Now, in response to new developments in theory and research, as well as changes in service delivery within the field, the second edition contains updated and accessible information on how mental illnesses develop and how they can be treated within a social work framework that recognizes the importance of family, economics, and culture as well as biochemical and psychodynamic factors. Each chapter is written by the leading social work authority on that subject and includes practical, in-depth discussion of state-of-the-art technologies, treatments, and research. The book encompasses the broad spectrum of topics that social workers need to understand, including personality, adjustment, schizophrenia, suicide, anxiety states, phobias, neurological disorders, psychosexual disorders, drug and alcohol addiction, eating disorders, and others. "Adult Psychopathology, Second Edition" is essential for both M.S.W. and Ph.D. social work students and, as the authoritative, unequaled reference book, will aid clinicians in making more precise diagnoses in their daily work.

First published in 1974, Social Work Treatment remains the most popular and trusted compendium of theories available to social work students and practitioners. It explores the full range of theoretical approaches that drive social work treatment and knowledge development, from psychoanalysis to crisis intervention. A treasure trove of practice knowledge, the text equips professionals with a broad array of theoretical approaches, each of which shine a spotlight on a different aspect of the human condition. Emphasizing the importance of a broad-based theoretical approach to practice, it helps readers avoid the pitfalls of becoming overly identified with a narrow focus that limits their understanding of clients and their contexts. This sweeping overview of the field untangles the increasingly complex problems, ideologies, and value sets that define contemporary social work practice. The result is an essential A-to-Z reference that charts the full range of theoretical approaches available to social workers, regardless of their setting or specialty.