Includes bibliographical references and index.

Foreword / Stanley Witkin -- Preface -- Contributors -- The philosophy, principles, and language of the strengths perspective -- Introduction: power in the people / Dennis Saleebey -- The fascination with problems and pathology -- The strengths perspective: philosophy, concepts, and principles liberation and empowerment: heroism and hope -- Alienation and oppression: anxiety and evil -- The lexicon of strengths -- Principles of the strengths perspective -- Some preliminary thoughts -- Conclusion -- Discussion questions -- References -- Shifting our habits of mind: learning to practice from a strengths perspective / Robert Blundo -- The deficit/pathology knowledge base becomes synonymous with social work -- Maintaining our sense of what is right -- Professional literature maintaining traditional frames -- Shifting the fundamental frame of practice -- Shifting frames to a strengths perspective -- Conclusion -- Discussion questions -- References -- The remarkable strengths of indigenous people(s) -- Strengths of indigenous peoples / Margaret Waller -- Historical distortion of strengths -- What are the strengths of indigenous peoples? -- Resistance to assimilation -- Sovereignty -- Governmental reform -- Advocacy and political activism -- Education -- Separation and identity -- Kinship and mutual assistance -- Intertribal celebrations -- Traditional spirituality and healing practices -- Stories and storytelling -- Skepticism -- Humor -- Cultural resilience -- Discussion questions -- References -- The significance of spirituality for resilient response to -- Chronic illness: a qualitative study of adults with -- Cystic fibrosis / Edward R. Canda -- Methodology -- Summary of findings -- Understandings of faith, religion, and spirituality -- Ideas about impacts of cf on participants -- Metaphors for the challenges of CF -- Challenges associated with spirituality -- A consensus statement on spirituality as a source of strength by adults with CF 68 -- Garyâs story: trying to figure it all out -- Teresaâs story: I am already healed -- Implications for social work -- Postscript -- Discussion questions -- References

Strengths-based assessment and approaches to practice -- The strengths approach to practice / Dennis Saleebey -- Some beginning observations -- About strengths-based practice -- The core conditions of growth and change -- What are strengths? -- How do you find out about strengths? -- What are some of the elements of strengths-based practice? -- Conclusion -- Discussion questions -- References -- Assessing strengths: the political context of individual, family, and community empowerment / Charles D. Cowger, Kim M. Anderson, and Carol A. Snively -- More deficit, disease, and dysfunction? -- Assessment as political activity -- Strengths and empowerment -- Strengths? Or just a new spin on old problems? -- The resistance to oppression factor -- Guidelines for strengths assessment -- Assessment process -- Component 1: defining the problem situation -- Steps in defining the problem situation or discovering why the client -- Seeks assistance -- Questions for the assessment process: beyond "what are your strengths?" -- Component 2: framework for assessment -- Exemplars of client strengths (quadrant 2) -- Assessment of help seeker strengths (quadrant 2 of assessment axes) -- Conclusion -- Discussion questions -- References -- Solving problems from a strengths perspective / Ann Weick, James Kreider, and Ronna Chamberlain -- Strengths and solutions -- Commonalities and differences -- What about problems? -- Extensions of strengths- and solution-focused practice -- Discussion questions -- References -- Strengths-based case management: enhancing treatment for persons with substance abuse problems / Richard C. RAPP -- Introduction -- Strengths-based case management with persons who have Substance abuse problems -- The practice of strengths-based case management -- Strengths-based assessment -- Conducting the strengths assessment -- Case management planning -- Strengths-based case management: measuring its impact -- Scbm and retention in treatment -- SBCM and critical outcomes -- Explaining the impact of SBCM -- Client driven/case manager facilitated treatment planning -- Nature of the case manageröclient relationship -- Strengths-based case management as a brief intervention -- SBCM challenges as a brief intervention -- Conclusion -- Discussion questions -- References -- The strengths model with older adults: critical practice components / Holly Nelson-Becker, Rosemary Chapin, and Becky Fast -- Conceptual framework for practice -- Operationalizing the strengths perspective -- Critical practice components of effective case management -- Personalized assessment and planning -- Assertive outreach to natural community resources and services -- Emergency crisis planning -- Ongoing collaboration and caregiving adjustments -- The empowerment of older adults -- Integration of spiritual assessment and intervention n social work practice with older adults -- Integration of policy applications in social work practice with older adults -- Utility of the strengths model in the changing long-term care environment -- Conclusion -- Discussion questions -- References.