Cultivating Professional Resilience in Direct Practice - by Jason M Newell (Paperback)

About the Book

Overwhelming evidence indicates that new social workers going into child welfare or other trauma-related care discover emotional challenges. In a textbook that bridges the gap between theoretical and pragmatic approaches, Jason M. Newell provides a solution by conceptualizing self-care as the key to professional resilience.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

Jason M. Newell's important book is a wake-up call to the field of social work and its accrediting body: self-care is the key to professional resilience. Awake and read this book!

--Charles R. Figley, Tulane University

Newell provides a timely resource that supports therapist resilience in four key areas: stress, empathy, resilience, and self-care. Case studies and end-of-chapter discussion guidelines complement a thorough review of the literature. I highly recommend this book for students and practitioners alike, especially those who work with traumatized clients.

--Cheryl Lanktree, University of Southern California

Comprehensive in scope yet accessible to the busy professional, Newell's book is an invaluable resource to both new and experienced practitioners. In it he seamlessly weaves together theory and research on the hazards of a career in human services, yet provides creative strategies to not just overcome these challenges but thrive in the face of them. A must read for students, professionals, and faculty!--Brian Bride, Georgia State University

Newell emphasizes the importance of professional self-care as it relates to providing ethical and quality services to others who are vulnerable and needing help. Clearly, if as helping professionals we do not take the first breath of oxygen, how is it possible to help others breathe?--Carolyn Szafran, Washburn University

About the Author

Jason M. Newell is associate professor and director of the social work program at the University of Montevallo.