Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice: The Heart of Helping

by Edward R. Canda

In Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice, Edward R. Canda and Leola Dyrud Furman introduce their breakthrough work on the importance of spirituality in social work teaching and practice. In this long-awaited textbook these leaders in social work education offer a first-of-its-kind integrated framework for dealing with the issues that professional helpers face. Designed for classroom use and as a reference for social workers already in the field, the book will revolutionize the way helping professionals explore the rich variety of religious and spiritual concerns of the individuals, families, and communities they serve. The authors integrate existentialist, transpersonal, and holistic systems theories with Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Judaic, and Shamanistic traditions of helping. They provide the knowledge, ethical guidelines, and practical skills and techniques that all social workers can follow, regardless of their particular theoretical approach. Stories, practice examples, insights from a national survey of social workers, and learning exercises support the reader's professional and personal growth.

Genres: Social Work, Spirituality, Nonfiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 1999

Reviews

[Brittany]

I give up. After 390 pages, I’m done. My poor eyeballs cannot take anymore. If I have to read about Canda citing anymore of their previous work, I’m going to throat punch someone.
DNF

[Rachel Girdler]

Great book to help practitioners understand how to work with spiritual diverse clients, while giving useful frameworks to work within.

[Ben]

I think I have to write this book myself. While I love knowing and reading about the vocation of social work (something that represents my foray into the field), the authors of this book needlessly complicate religion and spirituality. Though the methods introduced in this book are good, there are simpler ways to both integrate spirituality & religion into social work practice and to explain that integration.