Modern Social Work Theory

Modern Social Work Theory, Fifth Edition, provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the main practice theories that will act as a companion for students throughout their courses and their careers as practitioners. In this substantially reworked and updated edition of his best-selling text, Malcolm Payne presents clear and concise evaluations of the pros and cons of major theories that inform social work practice and comparisons between them.

Malcolm Payne is a writer, academic and consultant on social work, social care management and multiprofessional teamwork. Currently Policy and Development Adviser at St Christopher's Hospice, London, he was previously Director of Psychosocial and Spiritual Care at the Hospice. He has held academic posts at the University of Bristol, UK, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and Opole University, Poland. He has honorary appointments at the Department of Social Policy, Helsinki University, Finland and the School of Social Care Sciences, Kingston University, UK.

PART 1: Thinking about social work theory
1. The social construction of social work theory
2. Evaluating social work theory
3. Connecting theory and practice

PART 2: Reviewing social cohesion theories
4. Psychodynamic relational practice
5. Psychodynamic attachment practice
6. Crisis and task-centred practice
7. Cognitive-behavioural practice
8. Motivational interviewing
9. Systems, complexity and chaos

PART 3: Reviewing empowerment theories
10. Macro practice, social development and social pedagogy
11. Social construction practice: strengths and solutions
12. Social construction practice: narrative practice
13. Humanistic practice, existentialism and spirituality
14. Social justice, advocacy and empowerment

PART 4: Reviewing social change theories
15. Critical practice
16. Eco practice
17. Feminist practice
18. Anti-oppressive, Indigenous and multicultural sensitivity practice