Part I. Getting Oriented1. Social work: An introduction2. Clients and services3. Values, ethics, and obligationsPart II. Thinking about knowledge and how to get it4. Different views of knowledge5. Critical thinking: Values, knowledge, and skillsPart III. Thinking about problems and causes6. Competing views of problems and causes7. Taking advantage of research findings about behavior and how it is influenced by the environmentPart IV. A problem-solving practice model8. Problem solving and decision making: Integral to helping clients9. Evidence-based practice: A problem-solving process and philosophy10. Posing questions and searching for answers11. A bare-bones guide to critically appraising practice-related researchPart V. Getting started12. Contextual assessment13. Beginning: A procedural guide14. Engaging clientsPart VI. Relationship skills15. Interpersonal helping skills16. Handling challenging social situationsPart VII. Gathering and organizing information17. Where to look: Deciding how to gather needed information18. Observation: Learning to see19. Reviewing resources and obstacles20. Putting it all togetherPart VIII. Selecting plans and assessing progress21. Selecting and Implementing service plans22. Evaluating outcomes as integral to problem solving23. Planning for endingsPart IX. Intervention options24. Education and skill building25. Helping clients learn positive behavior change skills26. Working with groups and families27. Working with organizations and communitiesPart X. The long run28. Maintaining skills and staying happy in your workReferences Index.