The Practice of Generalist Social Work

Julie Birkenmaier is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University. Dr. Birkenmaier’s practice experience includes community organizing, community development, and nonprofit administration. Her research and writing focuses on community development, financial capability, financial credit, and asset development. With Marla Berg-Weger, she also co-authored the textbook, The Practicum Companion for Social Work: Integrating Class and Field Work (3rd edition). Marla Berg-Weger is a professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University, Missouri. Dr. Berg-Weger holds social work degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Her social work practice experience includes public social welfare services, domestic violence services, mental health, medical social work and gerontological social work. Her research and writing focuses on gerontological social work and social work practice. She is the author of Social Work and Social Welfare: An Invitation (2nd edition). With Julie Birkenmaier, she co-authored the textbook, The Practicum Companion for Social Work: Integrating Class and Field Work (3rd edition). She is the past president of the Association of Gerontology in Social Work and currently serves as the Chair of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work Editorial Board Executive Committee and is a fellow in the Gerontological Society of America. Marty Dewees, Associate Professor Emerita, of the University of Vermont made her way into social work through counseling and then focused on mental health work at the state psychiatric facility. Her inclusion on the faculty at the University of Vermont provided the impetus for looking at social work practice through the lenses of human rights, social justice, strengths, and social construction. These are reflected in her previous publications and in the first edition of this book.

1. Understanding Social Work Practice 2. Exploring the Practice Purpose 3. Applying Values and Ethics to Practice 4. Engaging in Relationship: Making the Connection 5. Assessing and Planning: Deepening the Dialogue 6. Intervening in Context: Initiating the Plan 7. Social Work with Groups: Tapping the Power of Connection 8. Exploring the Family Story 9. Working in and with the Organization 10. Working in and with the Community 11. Negotiating Troubling Contexts 12. Ending the Work, Consolidating the Gains, and Evaluating Practice