Main description:

Overwhelming empirical evidence indicates that new social workers, particularly those going into child welfare or other trauma-related care, will discover emotional challenges including the indirect or secondary effects of the trauma work itself, professional burnout, and compassion fatigue. However, the newly revised CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) does not mandate the inclusion of content related to self-care in social work curriculum or field education. In a textbook that bridges the gap between theoretical and pragmatic approaches to this important issue in human service work, Jason M. Newell provides a potential resolution by conceptualizing self-care as an ongoing and holistic set of practice behaviors described as the key to professional resilience. To address the effects of trauma-related care on direct practitioners, Newell provides a comprehensive, competency-based model for professional resilience, examining four key constructs-stress, empathy, resilience, and self-care-from a range of theoretical dimensions.
For those who work with vulnerable populations, the tendency to frame self-care solely within organizational context overlooks the importance of self-care in domains beyond the agency setting. Alternatively, he uses a framework grounded in the ecological-systems perspective conceptualizing self-care as a broader set of practice behaviors pertaining to the whole person, including the physical, interpersonal, organizational, familial, and spiritual domains of the psychosocial self. Alongside professional self-care practices at the organizational level, Newell makes a case for the pragmatic role of recreational activities, time with family and friends, physical health, spirituality, and mindfulness. The application of a comprehensive approach to self-care practice has potential to empower practitioners to remain resilient and committed to the values, mission, and spirit of the social work profession in the face of trauma.

Contents:

Preface
Acknowledgments
1. An Introduction to Resilient Practice Through Holistic Self-Care
Section 1: Theory, Conceptualization, and Measurement
2. Understanding the Connection Between Stress and Trauma
3. Chronic Empathy and Trauma in Human Service Work: Implications for Social Service Professionals
4. Understanding and Preventing the Effects of Professional Burnout and Indirect Trauma: An Individual and Organizational Challenge
5. Assessment and Measurement of Occupational Stress and Trauma
Section 2: A Holistic Framework for the Application of Self-Care Practices
6. The Essential Practice of Professional Self-Care: The Key to Professional Resilience
7. Preserving Professional Resilience: The Ongoing Practice of Holistic Self-Care
8. The Ethical Obligation of Professional Self-Care, with James L. Jackson Jr.
9. Trauma-Informed Education, Training, and Professional Development
10. The Use of Mindfulness Practice as a Function of Self-Care
Epilogue: Finding Balance in Social Work Practice: Self-Care as Practice Wisdom
Worksheets
Personal Reflection Exercise: Resilience and Self-Appreciation
Personal Reflection Exercise: Engaging Group Discussion on Trauma
Sample Assignment: Deep Breathing Exercise
Sample Assessment of Organizational Strengths and Challenges
Self-Care Process: Setting Organizational Goals
Self-Care Process: Setting Personal Goals
Professional Development Assignment: Construct a Plan of Personal and Professional Self-Care
Suggestions for Developing a Comprehensive Plan of Self-Care
Sample Goals and Objectives for a Plan of Self-Care
Blank Template for a Comprehensive Plan of Self-Care
Sample Self-Care Plan: Personal Table
Sample Assignment: Journaling Mindfully
Bibliography of Recommended Readings
Bibliography of Suggested Internet Resources
Glossary
References
Index