The first textbook to emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills to practice, this third edition of the classic Social Work Practice retains its unique focus on thinking critically about decisions that social workers make daily. Organized around the phases of helping, this hands-on introduction highlights the decision points that social workers encounter during assessment, intervention, and evaluation. This text, together with its companion website, provides students with a wealth of hands-on exercises for developing and assessing their practice skills. Most importantly, it helps students enhance client well-being by becoming critical thinkers and evidence-informed practitioners. Highlights the vital role that ethical obligations play in the decision-making process Describes the process and philosophy of evidence-based practice and the importance of critical thinking at all stages of helping clients Offers specific guidelines for selecting assessment methods, intervention plans, and outcome measures Explicitly links research, policy, practice, and ethics throughout Describes controversies in practice, such as the role of common factors and framing problems-in-living as mental illnesses Ideal for BSW and MSW programs

Author Biography

Eileen Gambrill, PhD, is the Hutto Patterson Charitable Foundation Professor in Child and Family Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.