Strengths-Based Generalist Practice: A Collaborative Approach

Poulin (Widener U.) and collaborators present an approach to social work practice that is generalist because the practitioner works at different client system levels (individual, family, group, organization, and community) and is "strengths-based" because it focuses on clients abilities rather than being focused on perceived deficits and pathological problems. After presenting the model, with its theoretical and practical principles, chapters describe assessment tools and the different phases of interventions. Later chapters look at generalist practice with special populations. This is a revised edition second edition of a work originally titled Collaborative Social Work. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

John Poulin is a Professor at Widener University's Center for Social Work Education, where he teaches generalist practice, research and policy practice courses. He is also the Executive Director of Social Work Consultation Services, a unique community-based field placement agency developed by the Center for Social Work Education in collaboration with the Chester Education Foundation. He is the former director of Widener's BSW program as well as former dean and director of its MSW program. His current research focuses on the helping process and the factors that contribute to trust-building in the helping relationship.