Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice: The Heart of Helping (Hardcover)

by Edward Canda (Author), Leola Furman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Robin Russel

Associate Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Social Work

We are finally recognizing that our clients come to us with spiritual and religious issues and that we ourselves are called to this work out of a sense of mission and are sustained by our spiritual practice. This textbook honors the spiritual dimensions of practice and honors that force that called us to this profession.

Product Description

In Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice, Edward R. Canda and Leola Dyrud Furman introduce their breakthrough work on the importance of spirituality in social work teaching and practice. In this long-awaited textbook these leaders in social work education offer a first-of-its-kind integrated framework for dealing with the issues that professional helpers face. Designed for classroom use and as a reference for social workers already in the field, the book will revolutionize the way helping professionals explore the rich variety of religious and spiritual concerns of the individuals, families, and communities they serve.

The authors integrate existentialist, transpersonal, and holistic systems theories with Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Judaic, and Shamanistic traditions of helping. They provide the knowledge, ethical guidelines, and practical skills and techniques that all social workers can follow, regardless of their particular theoretical approach. Stories, practice examples, insights from a national survey of social workers, and learning exercises support the reader's professional and personal growth.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 1 edition (August 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684844117
• ISBN-13: 978-0684844114
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #584,673 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice: The Heart of He, January 21, 2000

By	Dona Reese (Grand Forks, ND) - See all my reviews

This book is the premiere text for use in a course on spirituality and social work. The Council on Social Work Education has included spirituality in its latest guidelines for social work curriculum, and many schools of social work are developing courses on spirituality in order to meet this guideline. This book presents the latest thinking in the field - including theory, ethics, practice techniques, information about many religious perspectives, all grounded in a national survey of NASW members. Exercises at the end of each chapter help students reflect and apply the content to real life situations. This book will be a tremendous asset for anyone interested in incorporating spirituality into social work practice.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well written, balanced, and long overdue for social work, April 14, 2000

By	krishna sherchan (usa) - See all my reviews

This text is a wonderful antidote to the anti-religious Marxist/Feminist tracts that permeated my social work education. For those who work with real suffering people an understand of spiritual diversity, and an ability to reflect on our own biases and preconceptions, is essential for creating a truly empowering alliance with clients. All I heard about spirituality in graduate school was that all (!) religion was an oppressive, patriarchal institution that deserved contempt. This is very sad. I am grateful that this book was written, especially with its emphasis on experiential learning and self reflection. I hope it gets the wide audience it deserves in social work education programs. Nine bows of gratitude to the authors!

4.0 out of 5 stars Heart of Helping for classroom instruction, February 8, 2009

By	J. W. Sinha - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think this is a great text for teaching "Spirituality" and Social work. It takes the profession into consideration while introducing the topics of spirituality, skill sets for assessing spirituality in an accessible manner.