Psychology provides an essential backdrop to social work practice but there are few sources that summarize its theories and findings in a way that is easily accessible to students. This compact and practical text answers this need in applying key ideas, skills and research from psychology to contemporary social work in a variety of settings. Substantially revised to take account of the latest developments, this is a wide-ranging and authoritative introduction to a complex subject.

Table of Contents

Dedication Acknowledgements Introduction PART ONE: APPLYING PSYCHOLOGY TO SOCIAL WORK Psychology and Social Work Psychological Development through the Life Course PART TWO: INTERPERSONAL AND PRACTICE SKILLS Interviewing and Counselling Assertiveness and Coping with Stress Psychological Type and Communication Groupwork Theory and Practice Skills PART THREE: THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL WORK Social Work Settings and Contexts of Practice Social Policy, Social Work and Psychology The Future of Psychology and Social Work References Index Recommended Further Reading Figures Tables

Author Biography

PAULA NICOLSON is Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Sheffield, UK. Her most recent books are Postnatal Depression (Wiley 2001) and Gender, Power and Organisation (Routledge, 1996). ROWAN BAYNE is Professor of Psychology at University of East London, UK. He is the author of eleven books. Dr JENNY OWEN is Lecturer in Health Studies at the University of Sheffield, UK, where she leads and teaches on a number of undergraduate modules, including research methods and critical practice in health and social care.