The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Theory provides an interdisciplinary and international introduction to social work theory. It presents an analytical review of the wide array of theoretical ideas that influence social work on a global scale.

List of Figures; List of Tables; Contributors; Introduction Malcolm Payne and Emma Reith Hall; Part 1: The aims and nature of social work; 1: Social work theory, knowledge and practice Malcolm Payne and Emma Reith Hall; 2: Theoretical aspects of social work - from eclecticism to integration Vladimír Labath and Elena Ondruskova; 3: Psychological and counselling theory in social work: a critical overview Carolyn Noble; 4: Epistemic discourses of ‘explanation’ and ‘understanding’ in assessment models Pavel Navrátil; 5: Theorizing social work in the domains of culture, politics and society Stan Houston; 6: Paradigm shift? Biomedical science and social work thinking Malcolm Carey; Part 2: Theory about social work values; 7: Care and caring Michael D. Fine; 8: Autonomy and dependence Tom Grimwood; 9: Empathy, respect and dignity in social work David Howe; 10: The interpretation of social justice, equality, and inequality in social work: A view from the US Michael Reisch; 11: Spirituality and secularity Beth R. Crisp; Part 3: Theories of social work practice; 12: Relational social work Karen Winter; 13: Contemporary attachment theory: how can it inform social workers? David Shemmings and Yvonne Shemmings; 14: How green is social work? Towards an ecocentric turn in social work John Coates and Mel Gray; 15: Theory on systems, complexity and chaos Chris Hudson; 16: Cognitive-behavioural therapy and social work practice A. Antonio Gonzalez-Prendes and C. M. Cassady; 17: Task-centred practice Simon Cauvain; 18: Strengths perspective: Critical analysis of the influence on social work Robert Blundo, Kristin W. Bolton and Peter Lehmann; 19: Solution-focused practice in social work Guy Shennan; 20: Motivational interviewing’s theory of practice for social work: promises and pitfalls Lori L. Egizio, Douglas C. Smith, Stéphanie Wahab and Kyle Bennett; 21: Narrative social work: key concepts Karen D. Roscoe; 22: Mindfulness and social work Yuk-Lin Renita Wong; 23: Indigenist social work practice Michael Hart; 24: The social pedagogy dimension of social work activity Ewa Marynowicz-Hetka; 25: Locality-based social development: a theoretical perspective for social work Abiot Simeon, Alice K, Butterfield & David P. Moxley; 26: Critical theory and social work: Historical context and contemporary manifestations Kenneth McLaughlin; 27: The return of macro approaches in social work Iain Ferguson; 28: Empowerment ideas in social work Paul Stepney; 29: Anti-oppressive practice Jane Dalrymple and Beverley Burke; 30: Advocacy ideas in social work Tom Wilks; 31: Feminist ideas in social work Sarah Wendt; Part 4: Theory in practice; 32: Family social work practice Fiona Morrison, Viviene E. Cree and Polly Cowan; 33: Theory for social work with children Kathleen Manion; 34: Safeguarding children and the use of theory in practice Penelope Welbourne; 35: Child and adolescent mental health: A psychosocial perspective Emma Reith Hall; 36: Theories of mental illness Pete Benbow and Paul Blakeman; 37: Social work and addiction Hilda Loughran; 38: Disability theory and social work practice Stephen J. Macdonald and Lesley Deacon; 39: Accommodating cognitive differences: New ideas for social work with people with intellectual disabilities Christine Bigby; 40: Social work theory and older people Malcolm Payne; 41: Holistic end-of-life care in social work Cecilia Chan, Candy Fong and Y.L. Fung; Index

‘Bringing together high-profile international authors, this milestone book is a must-read for academics, social workers, policy makers, and anyone who wants an updated and deep knowledge of social work at a local and global level.’ - Annamaria Campanini, President, the International Association of Schools of Social Work, Professor in Social Work, Department of Sociology and Social Research, University Milano Bicocca, Italy‘Malcolm Payne and Emma Reith-Hall have edited a book that provides a unique and outstanding contribution to our understanding of social work theory. The book is broad in scope, contemporary, yet grounded in social work traditions of "ethics"; "theories of social work" and "social work practice". The contributors, experts in their field, from around the globe, bring diverse and creative views about the nature of social work theory and how theory can be realised through practice. A must-read book about social work theory.’ - Professor Steven M Shardlow, Professor Emeritus of Social Work, Keele University, United Kingdom