Originally published in 1980, The Life Model of Social Work Practice was the first textbook to introduce the ecological perspective into social work practice. This fourth edition brings the text up to date by expanding and deepening this perspective. Integrating contemporary theory and research findings with numerous case illustrations drawn from a wide range of practice contexts, this textbook provides students with an invaluable introduction to the real world of social work practice and includes knowledge, methods, and skills for advanced practice.

The authors detail the theoretical foundation of the ecological perspective and the life model’s emphasis on evidence- and ethics-guided practice, culturally competent and diversity-sensitive practice, and the multiple sources of accountability that social workers face. The text features an extensive discussion of the principles of trauma-informed practice and their implications for social work practice. Its discussion of cultural competence and sensitivity to diversity incorporates contemporary concepts such as cultural humility and privilege, intersectionality, and critical race theory and presents their application to practice. The authors integrate current research throughout the text and provide numerous research applications to underscore and model the importance of evidence-guided practice.

The fourth edition reflects the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and the Council on Social Work Education’s most recent set of competency standards, which accredit social work schools and programs. It is accompanied by a teachers guide that provides chapter summaries, recommended teaching methods and skills, questions for discussion, and suggested assignments and identifies where in the text the nine EPAS competencies and their associated practice behaviors are addressed.

Preface
Note to Instructors
Acknowledgments
Part I. Overview
1. Social Work Practice and Its Historical Traditions
2. The Ecological Perspective
3. The Life Model of Social Work Practice: An Overview
4. Culturally Competent and Diversity-Sensitive Practice and Cultural Humility
5. Assessment, Evidence-Guided Practice, and Practice Evaluation
Part II. The Helping Process in Life-Modeled Practice
Initial Phase
6. Preparation: Settings, Modalities, Methods, and Skills
7. Beginnings: Settings, Modalities, Methods, and Skills
Ongoing Phase
8. Helping Individuals, Families, and Groups with Stressful Life Transitions and Traumatic Events
9. Helping Individuals, Families, and Groups with Environmental Stressors
10. Helping Family Members with Maladaptive Communication and Relationship Patterns
11. Helping Group Members with Maladaptive Communication and Relationship Patterns
12. Helping with Maladaptive Relationship and Communication Patterns between Social Workers and Clients
Ending Phase
13. Endings: Settings, Modalities, Methods, and Skills
Part III. Life-Modeled Practice at the Community, Organizational, and Political Levels
14. Influencing Community and Neighborhood Life
15. Influencing the Practitioner’s Organization
16. Influencing Legislation, Regulations, and Electoral Politics
Appendix A: Individual, Family, and Group Assessments
Appendix B: Practice Monitoring—Records of Service
Appendix C: Practice Monitoring—Critical Incidents
Appendix D: Force Field Analysis
Notes
References
Index