The concept of recovery in mental health represents the radical shift from the reductive ideas of disease and cure to a holistic understanding of the individual. It is an investment in the personal journey toward wellness that involves developing hope, supportive relationships, self-motivation, social inclusion, and a greater sense of life’s purpose. The principles behind the recovery movement mirror the NASW core values for the social work profession: emphasizing service and social justice through the empowerment and full engagement of the consumer in defining his or her strengths, needs, and goals. The Recovery Philosophy and Direct Social Work Practice explores the potential of the social work profession to use these core values to help persons with mental illness work toward recovery. The book addresses the ways social workers can implement and support recovery activities through a consideration of recovery philosophy, the utilization of a social work perspective on recovery, and in-depth examples of recovery practice with individuals who have schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum. This book is a practical guide for direct practitioners. It emphasizes the cooperative dynamic of the social worker/consumer relationship and addresses the difficult topic of endings in recovery practice. The models presented in this book will enable social workers to expand their existing intervention skills to work more collaboratively with consumers toward their goals of holistic recovery from mental illness. Features A practice-oriented approach, with content on the dynamics of the social worker/consumer relationship and endings in recovery work In-depth attention to recovery practice with individuals who have schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorders History and definitions of different models of recovery Summaries and discussion questions following each chapter “This book is a handbook on social work's natural compatibility with recovery perspectives on mental illness. It is timely, packed with the knowledge and practices necessary for clinical social workers to function successfully within the recovery approach and, above all, speaks to students and practitioners about their role in relation to consumers. I think this book is excellent.” — Daniel Salhani, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Contents Preface The Book's Organization A Note on Terminology Part I: Social Work and the Recovery Philosophy 1. Introduction: A Social Worker’s Journey Toward the Recovery Philosophy 2. The Recover Philosophy of Mental Illness Definitions of Recovery The Fundamental Values of Recovery The Emergence of the Recovery Philosophy Controversial Issues in Recovery Evidence-Based Practice Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion 3. Social Work Practice and the Recovery Philosophy Defining Direct Social Work Practice The Value Base of Social Work Practice Strengths-Oriented Social Work Practice A Risk and Protective Framework for Social Work Practice Multiculturalism Consumer Empowerment Spirituality in Recovery Practice Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion 4. A Social Work Model of Recovery Practice (and Some Others) Recovery at the Systems Level A State Model of Recovery Service Organization The Harrison County Community Services Board A Social Work Model of Recovery Practice Goal Setting in Recovery Practice Boundary Issues in Recovery Practice Managing Boundary Dilemmas Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion 5. Relationship Development With Recovering Consumers Nonspecific Aspects of Professional Intervention Thought and Communications in Psychosis The Experience of Psychosis Intervention Guidelines Transference and Countertransference in Recovery Practice Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion 6. Spiritual Concerns of Recovering Consumers Defining Spirituality The Will to Meaning The Importance of Spirituality in the Recovery Process Examples of Consumers’ Spiritual Orientations The Three Dimensions of Being Spiritual Intervention with Recovering Consumers Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion Part II: Recovery Interventions for Specific Mental Disabilities
7. Schizophrenia Risk and Resilience Influences for Onset Risk and Resilience Influences for Course Standard Interventions Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion
8. Depression The Experience of Depression Standard Interventions Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion 9. Bipolar Disorder Risk and Resilience Influences Stigma in Bipolar Disorder Standard Interventions Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion 10. The Autism Spectrum Disorders A Recovery Focus with the ASD Risk and Resilience Influences Standard Interventions Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion 11. Endings in Recovery Practice Deciding When to Implement the Ending Phase Anticipating the Consumer’s and One’s Own Reactions Appropriately Spacing the Remaining Meetings Reviewing the Relationship Reviewing and Generalizing Recovery Gains Planning for Ongoing Recovery Setting Conditions and Limits on Future Contact Participating in Ending Rituals Summary Major Chapter Learning Points Questions for Reflection or Discussion 12. The Future of Recovery Revisiting the Recovery Controversies Social Work and Recovery About the Author
Joseph Walsh (PhD, LCSW, Ohio State University) is professor of social work at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has been a direct services practitioner in the field of mental health since 1974, first in a psychiatric hospital and later in community mental health center settings. Walsh was the 1998 recipient of the National Mental Health Association’s George Goodman Brudney and Ruth P. Brudney Social Work Award, given annually to recognize significant contributions to the care and treatment of persons with mental illness. |