This popular textbook has established itself as a major teaching and study tool. The second edition has been fully updated and revised and includes: updated information and references on theory, research, and practice in each of the chapters; a new chapter on Relational Theory, and newly-rewritten chapters by new authors on Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, Existential Theory, and Wraparound Services; updated information on the movement toward eclecticism, the rationale and empirical support for eclecticism, and approaches to eclecticism; further refinement of the authors' conceptualization of their generalist-eclectic approach and their particular approach to eclecticism; and updated information on direct practice theory and research that supports the authors' emphasis on relationship and other intuitive/artistic factors as a complement to the eclectic use of thoery.
Nick Coady, PhD, is Professor, Faculty of Social Work (FSW), and Associate Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Coady has been with the FSW/ WLU since 1994, and prior to that he taught in the FSW at the University of Calgary for 5 years. He teaches direct practice, and his practice background includes residential child welfare work, individual and family counseling with high-risk adolescents, and group work with abusive men. Dr. Coady's research, teaching, and publications have focused on the importance of relationship and other common factors in direct practice. His recent research has involved an exploration of good helping relationships in child welfare and men's experiences of child welfare involvement.