Developing Practice Competencies (eBook)

D. MARK RAGG is a Professor at Eastern Michigan University's School of Social Work, teaching in both the BSW and MSW programs, with a focus on practice and child/family courses. His current research focuses on issues of evidence-based practice, sustainability in community settings, adapting practices to achieve a cultural/ethnic fit, working with families and youth, and developing effective interpersonal practice competencies.

Acknowledgments.

About the Author.

Introduction.

Section I Building the Professional Self.

Chapter 1 Professional Self-Awareness.

Chapter 2 Conscious Self-Control and Ethical Behavior.

Chapter 3 Professional Thinking and Knowledge.

Chapter 4 Assessment and Service Contracting.

Section II Developing the Helping Relationship.

Chapter 5 Tuning In and Empathic Engagement.

Chapter 6 Questioning Skills.

Chapter 7 Reflective Responding Skills.

Chapter 8 Observing and Describing Skills.

Chapter 9 Providing Direction.

Section III Using the Working Alliance to Promote Change.

Chapter 10 Integrating Direction Through Transitional Responding.

Chapter 11 Motivating Change Within an Empathic Working Alliance.

Chapter 12 Building Multisystemic Working Alliances.

Chapter 13 Managing Threats to the Working Alliance.

Chapter 14 Ending the Working Alliance.

References.

Author Index.

Subject Index.

About the DVD.

"Through chapter content on theory, evidence, practice literature
and case examples, D. Mark Ragg has demonstrated great ability to
clarify and simplify complex concepts. In this text, Ragg
demonstrates his aptitude for integrating theoretical models,
research findings, social work practice literature and the
development of core competencies. This text is constructed in a way
that is accessible, understandable and extremely valuable to social
work students."

--James C. Piers, PhD, LMSW, Professor and Social Work
Program Director Hope College

"A masterful practice text that provides students with a
comprehensive presentation of social work skills and concepts.
Throughout, students are guided to employ critical thinking in
every aspect of their skill attainment, and with the multiple
systems of engagement they will face. Each topic is clearly defined
and illustrated with precise examples and case vignettes in a
pedagogically effective integration of the art and science of
social work practice."

--Professor Mitchell Kahn, BSW Program Director Ramapo
College of New Jersey

"Mark Ragg has written an excellent book that is easy to read
and yet maintains a particularly high level of applicability. He
has broken down the concepts we use in generalist practice and
explained them in terms that are easy to visualize and make sense.
Students will find the textbook accessible, meaningful and very
applicable to their work in this field."

--Debashis Dutta, M.S.W. (R.S.W.),Coordinator, Human
Services Foundation Program, Conestoga College, Kitchener Ontario,
Lecturer, School of Social Work, Renison University
College/University of Waterloo, Waterloo Ontario