The Life Model of Social Work Practice

by Carel B. Germain, Alex Gitterman

Originally published in 1980, this was the first textbook to apply the ecological approach to practice. Germain and Gitterman have extensively updated and expanded this classic text. In this edition, they have adopted a useful new "life course" model of human development, which incorporates into the ecological framework an understanding of the unique experience of each individual within its historical, societal, and cultural context. The new edition also provides practitioners with an innovative schema for assessment and intervention with respect to difficult life transitions and traumatic events, environmental pressures, and dysfunctional interpersonal processes. Practice illustrations have been updated to reflect today's major social issues, including AIDS, homelessness, and violence.

Hardcover

First published July 11, 1996

Reviews

[Julian Hague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Knight, one of the authors, was one of my professors this semester. I highly recommend her as a professor and author. This book has changed my life. I would recommend this textbook to people who aren’t social workers.