Table of Contents

Preface
Overview of Exercises
PART I: DEFINING THE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
1. What Does a Social Worker Do... and Not Do?
Social Work Diversity
Social/Emotional Factors
Professionalism
Self-Disclosure
Exercises
PART II: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
2. Fundamentals of Communication
Principles
Skills
Emotional Aspects
Exercises
PART III: THE PROCESS
3. Step I - Assessment: Where Is the Client Now?
Before Meeting the Client
After Meeting the Client
Exercises
4. Step II - Goal: Where Does the Client Want to Be?
Rationale for Setting a Goal
Problems Versus Goals
Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Goals
Fundamental Attributes of a Goal: SMART
Supplemental Attributes of a Goal
Additional Techniques for Identifying a Goal
Simplification
Exercises
5. Step III - Objectives: How Does the Client Get From Here to There?
Definitions
Objectives in Detail: The Strategic Plan
Specifying Resources: Brainstorming Demonstrated
Alternate Sources for Assembling Strategies
Serial and Parallel Planning
Client Perspective
Exercises
6. Step IV - Activation: Moving From Intention to Implementation
Five Stages of Change
Laying the Groundwork for Change
Social Support
Homework
Evaluation
Identifying and Resolving Problems in Activation
Exercises
7. Step V - Termination: Continuing the Mission Independently
What Is Termination?
When Does Termination Happen?
How Does Termination Happen?
Termination Need Not Be Forever
Types of Termination
Progressive Termination
Mutual Emotional Aspects of Termination
Consolidating Gains
Posttermination Planning
Exercises
Appendix A. Sample Mental Status Exam (MSE)
Appendix B. Diagnostic Terminology
Appendix C. Documentation, Symbols, and Abbreviations
References
Index
About the Author

About the Author

Herschel Knapp, PhD, MSSW has more than 20 years of experience as a health science researcher; he has provided project management for innovative implementations designed to improve the quality of patient care throughout the Veterans Health Administration via multisite, health science implementations. In addition to full-time work at the VA, he teaches masters-level courses at the University of Southern California; he has also taught at the University of California, Los Angeles and California State University, Los Angeles. Dr. Knapp has served as the lead statistician on a longitudinal cancer research project and managed the program evaluation metrics for a multisite, non-profit children's center. His clinical work includes emergency/trauma therapy in hospital settings. The author of numerous articles in peer-reviewed health science journals, he is also the author of Introductory Statistics Using SPSS (SAGE, 2013), Therapeutic Communication: Developing Professional Skills, Second Edition (SAGE, 2014) and Introduction to Social Work Practice: A Practical Workbook (SAGE, 2010). Dr. Knapp is currently involved in developing and implementing innovative telehealth systems, utilizing videoconferencing technology to facilitate optimal healthcare service delivery to remote patients, and to coordinate specialty consultations among healthcare providers including interventions to diagnose and treat people with HIV and hepatitis, with special outreach to the homeless.