Social Work Practice: A Critical Thinker's Guide

By Eileen Gambrill

Book Overview

Now in a new edition, this accessible, engaging textbook presents step-by-step guidelines and useful examples for each phase of practice, from assessment to intervention to evaluation. Its key focus remains on emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in making sound practice decisions. Eileen Gambrill - a pioneer of the evidence-based practice movement - skillfully shows students how to ask the right questions, search for reliable answers, and rigorously evaluate the results. Designed to equip students with vital practice knowledge and skills as well as an understanding of the larger picture in which social workers practice, this is much more than a "how-to" compilation. It establishes a sound conceptual framework that considers political, social, economic, empirical, and ethical issues, with equal attention to helping to solve client problems and bolster client strengths. Filled with practical advice, real-life scenarios, thought-provoking exercises, and straightforward guidance, this problem-solving practice guide prepares students to advocate for clients by being, above all, good decision makers.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195173422
• ISBN13: 9780195173420
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 864 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.5" x 1.8" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommended to Close the Gap between Research and Practice

As someone who is teaching Social Work Practice this Fall, I will be using this book as the main textbook for my class. I highly recommend that this book be carefully read by every social work practitioner. Both students and highly experienced, seasoned professionals will find much of value in this book. There has been much discussion of the gap that exists between research and social work (and other mental health) practice and how to bridge it. Until now, in spite of all the discussion about evidence-based practice, little has been written in practical terms, on how a social worker or other mental health professional would go about actually conducting evidence-based practice. This book gives very practical, detailed ways in which to engage in evidence-based practice and encourages social workers to think critically about what they do in practice, rather than just passively accept notions and interventions handed down by authorities. This book helps social workers to question, think deeply, identify their own philosophical positions, and evaluate the evidence (or lack thereof) that supports what they do. Although the book is centered around social work practice, other mental health professionals could also greatly benefit from reading it. For anyone who has ever wondered how evidence-base practice is done, this is the book for you.