Chapters 1-7: The Practice of Generalist Social Work

The fourth edition of The Practice of Generalist Social Work continues to teach students to apply micro, macro, and mezzo social work skills. This new edition strengthens the connection between the three levels of practice and is fully updated to the 2015 EPAS. This edition also contains more illustrations of theory and more context for deciding which type of intervention is a good fit. Most chapters now open with a case study and continually refer back to the case to provide additional connections between theory and real-life practice. Each chapter also incorporates a link to a Grand Challenge of Social Work from the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, which shows the connection between social work and the most significant societal challenges of today. The Quick Guides within the text offer students guidance for their field experience and practice after graduation.

The text also comes with a rich companion website that includes support materials and six unique cases that encourage students to learn by doing. Go to to explore the cases and additional resources.

Julie Birkenmaier is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University, Missouri. Dr. Birkenmaier’s practice experience includes community organizing, community development, and nonprofit administration. Her research and writing focuses on financial capability, financial credit, community development, and asset development. With colleagues, she co-wrote Financial capability and asset-building in vulnerable households. She also co-edited Financial Capability and Asset Development: Research, Education, Policy and Practice. With Marla Berg-Weger, she co-authored the textbook, The Practicum Companion for Social Work: Integrating Class and Field Work (4th edition).

Marla Berg-Weger is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University, Missouri, and Executive Director of the Geriatric Education Center. Dr. Berg-Weger holds social work degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Her social work practice experience includes public social welfare services, intimate partner violence services, mental health, medical social work, and gerontological social work. Her research and writing focuses on gerontological social work and social work practice. She is the author of Social Work and Social Welfare: An Invitation (4th edition). With Julie Birkenmaier, she co-authored the textbook, The Practicum Companion for Social Work: Integrating Class and Field Work (4th edition). She is the Past President of the Association of Gerontology in Social Work and currently serves as the Managing Editor of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work and is a fellow in the Gerontological Society of America.

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