The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Strengths-Perspective-Social-Work-Practice-Dennis-Saleebey-Michael-J-Pont/9780205408177

By Dennis Saleebey, Michael J. Pont

Table of Contents

I. THE PHILOSOPHY, PRINCIPLES, AND LANGUAGE OF THE STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE. 1. Introduction: Power in the People. The Fascination with Problems and Pathology. The Strengths Perspective: Philosophy, Concepts, and Principles. The Lexicon of Strengths. Principles of the Strengths Perspective. Some Preliminary Thoughts. Conclusion. 2. Shifting Our Habits of Mind: Learning to Practice from a Strengths Perspective. The Deficit/Pathology of Knowledge Base Becomes Synonymous with Social Work. Maintaining Our Sense of What is Right. Shifting the Fundamental Frame of Practice. Shifting Frames to a Strengths Perspective. II. THE REMARKABLE STRENGTHS OF PEOPLE(S). 3. Strengths of First Nations Peoples. Historical Distortion of Strengths of Indigenous Peoples. What Are the Strengths of Indigenous Peoples? 4. The Significance of Spirituality for Resilient Response to Chronic Illness: A Qualitative Study of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis. Methodology. Summary of Findings. A Consensus Statement on Spirituality as a Source of Strength by Adults with CIF. Implications for Social Work. III. STRENGTHS-BASED ASSESSMENT AND APPROACHES TO PRACTICE. 5. The Strengths Approach to Practice. Some Beginning Observations about Strengths-Based Practice. 6. Assessing Client Strengths: Individual, Family, and Community Empowerment. More Deficit, Disease, and Dysfunction? Assessment as Political Activity. Strengths and Empowerment. Strengths: or Just a New Spin on an Old Problem? Importance of Assessing Strengths. Assessment Process. 7. Solving Problems from a Strengths Perspective. Strengths and Solutions. Commonalities and Differences. What about Problems? Extensions of Strengths- and Solution-Focused Practice. 8. Strengths-Based Case Management: Enhancing Treatment for Persons with Substance Abuse Problems. Strengths-Based Case Management with Persons Who May Have Substance Abuse Problems. Strengths-Based Case Management: Measuring Its Impact. Strengths-Based Case Management as a Brief Intervention. 9. The Strengths Model with Older Adults: Critical Practice Components. Conceptual Framework for Practice. Critical Practice Components of Effective Case Management. Utility of the Strengths Model in the Changing Long-Term Care Environment. 10. The Opportunities and Challenges of Strengths-Based, Person-Centered Practice: Purpose, Principles, and Applications in a Climate of Systems' Integration. The Purpose of the Strengths Approach. The Six Principles of Strengths-Based Helping. Strategies That Promote Effective Engagement from the Perspective of the Service Participant. The Person-Centered Strengths Assessment and Personal Wellness Plan. 11. Using Strengths-Based Practice to Tap the Resilience of Families. Resilience Research. Environmental Protective Factors. What Research Says about Families. Family Resilience. IV. STRENGTHS IN CONTEXT. 12. That History Becomes You: Slave Narratives and Today's Movement to End Poverty. The Organization and the Movement. The Study: Narratives and Commitment. The Development of Political Consciousness. 13. Community Development, Neighborhood Empowerment, and the Individual Resilience. The Power of Context: What You See is How You Get. Community Development: Emerging Ideas and Practices. Coming Together: Community and Individual Resilience. Exemplars of Community Development Practice. Notes on Community Building and Programs That Work. 14. Honoring Philosophical Traditions: The Strengths Model and the Social Environment Basic Assumptions. Environment Defined. Niche Enrichment and Development: Mobilizing Personal and Environmental Strengths. The Match Game: Aligning Individual and Environmental Strengths. IV. CCONCLUSION. 15. The Strengths Perspective: Possibilities and Problems. Questions and Cautions about the Strengths Perspective. Of Paradigms and Prospects: Converging Lines of Thought.