Social Work Theories

Recommended Readings

Agnew, E.N. (2004). From charity to social work: Mary E. Richmond and the creation of an American profession. Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press.

Baines, D. (2011). Doing anti-oppressive practice: Social justice social work. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.

Blackstock, C. (2019). Revisiting the Breath of Life Theory. The British Journal of Social Work49(4), 854-859.

Bower, M. (2005). Psychoanalytic theory for social work practice: Thinking under fire. New York: Routledge.

Hart, M.H. (2002). Seeking Mino-Pimatisiwin: An Aboriginal approach to helping. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.

Nash, M., Munford, R., & O’Donoghue, K. (2005). Social work theories in action. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Teater, B. (2010). An introduction to applying social work theories and methods. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press.

Recommended Videos

  1. Psychoanalytic Theory (2013) by Shreena Desai. 7 min 42 sec. Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/behavior/theories-personality/v/psychoanalytic-theory

    This short video, available free from Khan Academy, explains psychoanalytic theory in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
  1. Behavioural Theory (2013) by Shreena Desai. 4 min 17 sec. Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/behavior/theories-personality/v/behavioral-theory

    This short video, available free from Khan Academy, explains behavioural theory in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
  1. Social Theories Overview (part 2) (2014) by Sydney Brown. 4 min 9 sec (see Feminist Theory from 0:11-1:35). Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/society-and-culture/social-structures/v/social-theories-overview-part-2

    This short video, available free from Khan Academy, explains feminist theory in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
  1. Intersectionality (2015) by Arshya Vahabzadeh. 3 min 29 sec. Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/social-inequality/social-class/v/intersectionality

    This short video, available free from Khan Academy, explains intersectionality in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

Recommended Audio

  1. Singer, J.B. (Host). (2009, August 30). Theories for Clinical Social Work Practice: Interview with Joseph Walsh, Ph.D. [Episode 52]. Social Work Podcast. 
    http://socialworkpodcast.com/2009/08/theories-for-clinical-social-work.html
  1. Singer, J.B. (Host). (2009, December 14). Psychoanalytic Treatment in Contemporary Social Work Practice: An Interview with Dr. Carol Tosone [Episode 54]. Social Work Podcast. 
    http://www.socialworkpodcast.com/2009/12/psychoanalytic-treatment-in.html
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