Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice: The Heart of Helping

by Edward R. Canda, Leola Dyrud Furman, Hwi-Ja Canda

Social workers and helping professionals serve many people who draw upon religion and spirituality to find meaning, thrive, and overcome oppression and obstacles in their lives. The third edition of Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice provides a comprehensive framework of values, knowledge, and skills for spiritually sensitive and culturally appropriate practice with diverse religious and non-religious clients.

This classic text contains forty different case examples and stories that vividly illustrate the professional values and ethical principles that guide spiritually sensitive practice. Learning activities at the end of each chapter encourage readers' personal and professional development through self-reflection, dialogue, creative expression, outreach to the community, and skill application.

The book also draws connections between spiritual and cultural diversity, gender, and LGBTQI issues. It introduces beliefs, values, and social welfare applications of Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Indigenous spiritual perspectives, Islam, Judaism, Existentialism, and Transpersonal and Deep Ecological Theories. Skills for spiritual assessment and spiritually sensitive practices include mindfulness, meditation, ritual and ceremony, forgiveness, spiritually sensitive administration, and engagement with community-based spiritual support systems.

For social workers and other professional helpers committed to supporting the spiritual care of individuals, families, and communities, this definitive guide offers state-of-the-art interdisciplinary and international insights as well as practical tools that students and practitioners alike can put to immediate use.

Genres: Social Work, Spirituality, Nonfiction

624 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 1999

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give up. After 390 pages, I’m done. My poor eyeballs cannot take anymore. If I have to read about Canda citing anymore of their previous work, I’m going to throat punch someone.
DNF

[Rachel Girdler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to help practitioners understand how to work with spiritual diverse clients, while giving useful frameworks to work within.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have to write this book myself. While I love knowing and reading about the vocation of social work (something that represents my foray into the field), the authors of this book needlessly complicate religion and spirituality. Though the methods introduced in this book are good, there are simpler ways to both integrate spirituality & religion into social work practice and to explain that integration.