Social Work with Individuals and Families

Recommended Readings

Boyle, S.W., Smith, L.L., Farley, O.W., Hull, G.H., & Mather, J.H. (2009). Direct practice in social work. (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Corcoran, J. (2012). Helping skills for social work direct practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Cummins, L.K., Sevel, J.A., & Pedrick, L. (2017). Social work skills for beginning direct practice: Text, workbook and interactive multimedia case studies. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

Sheafor, B., & Horejsi, C.R. (2014). Techniques and guidelines for social work practice. (10th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Thomilson, B. (2015). Family assessment handbook: An introductory practice guide to family assessment. (4th ed.). Boston: Nelson Education.

Zastrow, C. (2010). The practice of social work. (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Recommended Videos

  1. Carl Rogers on Empathy (1974). 14 min 22 sec. Distinguished Contributors to Counselling Film Series. American Personnel and Guidance Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMi7uY83z-U

    In this talk, Carl Rogers introduces the critical importance of empathy when working with individuals. His discussion brings to life a turning point in work with individuals and families, which, up until that time, had moved away from relationship and focused largely on technique.
  1. Ending Counselling (2008). 4 min 6 sec. Counselling Channel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sv6emlOJeI

    In this role-played session, a counsellor has a discussion with her client about ending therapy. Try to identify some of the tasks associated with good endings as described by Bogo.
  1. How to Conduct a 1st Counselling Session: Treatment Fit (2011) by Dr. Russ Curtis. 9 min 58 sec. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrHgOoNBiWk

    In this role-played session, a counsellor demonstrates how he transitions from gathering information (exploration/assessment) to establishing goals with his client (contracting/planning). Can you identify some of the tasks associated with this phase, as described by Seabury, Seabury, and Garvin? Do you notice any differences between the principles associated with direct practice as outlined in the chapter and the practices demonstrated by this counsellor (who is a clinical psychologist)?
  1. Webinar 5: The Role of Case Work and Case Management within the Social Service Workforce (2013). Global Social Service Workforce Alliance. http://www.socialserviceworkforce.org/webinar-5-role-case-work-and-case-management-within-social-service-workforce

    The Global Social Service Workforce Alliance was created to promote a global exchange of ideas and challenges in social service delivery. To this end, a series of webinars has been created on selected topics. Webinar 5 aims to define and identify different meanings of case management and their relevance to social work practice globally.
  1. Engaging Resistant Clients in Therapy || Tips from a Social Worker (2018). 10 min 10 sec. Social Work Scrapbook. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPw2xz_uY_U

    This video features a social worker who discusses her experiences interviewing and engaging reluctant clients.
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