I have been teaching graduate social work for fifteen years and have yet to discover a text about psychosocial casework that surpasses this revised classic in its clarity, depth, thouroughness, and wisdom. The basic psychosocial orientation and typology of casework procedures defined by Florence Hollis remains intact, yet the text, as a whole, is substantially updated by Mary Woods, whose fluid prose is rich in clinical detail, articulate, and aimed at what the practitioner yearns to know and needs to know. As an experienced clinician, I still turn frequently to the chapters on couple and family treatment where protocols for navigating these exceptionally tricky modalities are clearly presented. In chapter 16, for example, Mary Woods develops a typology of "relationships and problems" detailing 12 patterns of couple conflict that, in itself, serves as a primer for the novice practitioner. Approaches to nontraditional couples (premarital couples, unmarried pairs, cross-cultural relationships, and gay and lesbian couples) are amply discussed as well with sensitive consideration of social differentials in power experienced by men and women and by couples of color. The text consistently partializes assessment and techniques of intervention so that one can read and assimilate complex clinical procedures in bite size pieces. Heuristics are laced throughout the text, giving one a feeling of personal guidance. The fifth edition of Casework is a treasure chest for students and teachers of social work and the helping professions to dig into time and time again.

Casework: A Psychosocial Therapy, 5th edition

by Mary Woods and Florence Hollis

For many years the classic Woods and Hollis text has been required reading for graduate students of social work at the Hunter College School of Social Work. The updated Fifth Edition is even more useful than previous editions in its in-depth and detailed explanations of modern social work practice. This book addresses clients' concrete practice needs, environmental deficits and pressures, and personal and relationship dilemmas. Seldom in the literature is the field of social work firmly grounded in its own special knowledge and traditions, described so fully that the reader can clearly distinguish it from other helping professions. Recently, when asked about which of many professional writings they found most helpful, eight-five percent of a class of first year social work graduate students consistently identified Casework as particularly valuable in illuminating knowledge essential to their education for social work; they noted the text's clear explications of the unique history, values, missions and rick accumulation of practice experience-and the complexity of the interactions among these-that must be mastered to train for a career in this profession. Students have further indicated that the book is extremely helpful in identifying the theories underlying social work practice and how these theories can be specifically applied in work with a broad range of clients, presenting a vast array of quandaries and difficulties, seen in many settings.

Clear explanations of techniques (the "how-tos" of practice)aid new social workers in developing skills of listening and intervening. The importance of "mutuality" between clients and workers in emphasized. The text explains how clients-individuals, couples and families-can be helped to claim their own strengths and become empowered to resolve dilemmas, make decisions and choose changes. From the outset, the reader learns about social work's dual focus: on people and their environments and on the interactions and "fit" between them. The book describes and illustrates how people's lives affect and are affected by external conditions. Straightfoward discussions and a wide variety of case examples demonstrate how inner and outer phenomena are in constant interaction and inseparably intertwined, and how social work interventions have to be tailored to focus on those systems most accessible to change.

The four chapters on family and couple treatment introduce beginning students to multi-person interviewing and are often studied intensively by second year and post-graduate students who are preparing to gain further understanding and skill in these modalities.

Dr. Florence Vigilante, Professor, The Hunter College School of Social Work, of the City University of New York Dr. Martha Haffey, Associate Professor and Chair of Casework, The Hunter College School of Social Work of the City University of New York

As a graduate social work clinician of 15 years, I turn to Casework: A Psychosocial Therapy to renew my understanding, hone my skills, and refresh myself on the particulars of treatment techniques and procedures involved in individual, family, and couple work. There are few books that blend theory and the "how-to" of clinical practice in the ways that this book does. It is an exceptionally clear text. This book reminds the clinician of the importance of listening closely to what is important to clients as opposed to imposing upon them what we think should be important to them. Respect for the client is foremost, and this book underlines this and other values which represent the best our profession offers. It is the definitive test in psychosocial casework, and I heartily recommend it to others.