Generalist Social Work Practice
A Competency-Based Approach
John Poulin, PhD, MSW
Selina Matis, PhD, LCSW, LICSW
Heather Witt, PhD, LMSW, MEd
A competency-based approach to generalist social work practice that integrates an anti-oppressive perspective and foundational practice principles.
Generalist Social Work Practice: A Competency-Based Approach aligns with the nine professional social work competencies defined by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) and is fully revised to incorporate the latest updates. This textbook offers a comprehensive, chapter-by-chapter exploration of each competency and covers all areas of social work practice, including theory, ethics, human rights, social justice, and interventions at micro and mezzo levels. Generalist Social Work Practice integrates the critical themes of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) to ensure future social workers engage thoughtfully and competently in diverse settings. Purchase includes online access via most mobile devices or computers.
New to the Second Edition:
- Explicit focus on generalist social work practice.
- Integration of anti-oppressive practice principles into the generalist model.
- Alignment with CSWE 2022 EPAS.
- Combined assessment and intervention content across chapters.
- Introduction of a new chapter on evaluation.
- Enhanced ADEI content throughout the book.
Key Features:
- Provides comprehensive coverage of generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Explores the nine CSWE professional competencies.
- Incorporates social justice perspectives into practice models.
- Offers extensive case examples, ADEI reflection questions, and chapter summaries.
- Includes QR Codes that link to supplemental videos for enriched learning.
- Provides online instructor resources such as electronic presentations, discussion questions, and grading rubrics.
- Presents a student-friendly writing style to encourage engagement and understanding.
Dedication
Additional Contributors
Preface
Chapter 1. Social Work Concepts, Theories, and Paradigms
Chapter 2. Generalist Social Work Practice: Incorporating an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Perspective
Chapter 3. Ethical and Professional Behavior
Chapter 4. Advancing Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Chapter 5. Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Chapter 6. Research-Informed Social Work Practice
Chapter 7. Policy-Informed Practice
Stephen Kauffman and Heather Witt
Chapter 8. Engagement and Social Work Practice
Chapter 9. Generalist Practice with Individuals: Assessment and Intervention
Chapter 10. Generalist Practice with Families: Assessment and Intervention
Chapter 11. Generalist Practice with Groups: Assessment and Intervention
Chapter 12. Generalist Practice with Organizations: Assessment and Intervention
Stephen Kauffman and John Poulin
Chapter 13. Generalist Practice with Communities: Assessment and Intervention
Marina Barnett and John Poulin
Chapter 14. Evaluation in Generalist Social Work Practice
Index
John Poulin, PhD, MSW, is a professor emeritus and adjunct professor at Widener University’s Center for Social Work Education in Chester, Pennsylvania, currently teaching the foundation field seminar in Widener’s online MSW program. In 2016, he retired from Widener University, where he taught generalist practice, research, and policy courses for 32 years.
Selina Matis, PhD, LCSW, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and Assistant Professor at Capella University. She received her doctoral degree in social work from Widener University. Additionally, she has a MSW (Master of Social Work), BS in Elementary Education and a MS in School Psychology all from PennWest University (formerly California University of Pennsylvania). Clinically, she has worked primarily in the mental health arena supporting children and their families in a variety of settings. She has specialized in treating trauma across the lifespan. She currently runs a private practice providing counseling, consultation, and supervision services.
Heather Witt, PhD, LMSW, MEd, is a licensed social worker, Associate Professor of Social Work, and BSW Coordinator at Boise State University. She received her PhD and MSW from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. As a clinical social worker, she worked with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults providing individual, group, family, and relationship therapy.
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- Release Date: March 19, 2025
- Paperback / softback
- 478 Pages
- Trim Size: 7in x 10in
- Number of Illustrations: 27
- ISBN: 9780826166821
- eBook ISBN: 9780826166838
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