These readings offer critical perspectives and practice applications to define and illustrate an empowerment method of social work.

The organizing theme, pathways to power, focuses on how people acquire and maintain power. This book goes beyond traditional practice perspectives to include methods that emphasize social justice, environmental contexts, strengths, and collaborative partnerships with clients and others.

The authors of each chapter speak directly with the reader to present their concepts, reflections, and practice examples. Their voices, whether telling personal stories or conveying professional experiences are compelling; they draw readers into the material and help readers understand the context from which their view of social work practice evolves.

This book covers key theoretical perspectives, including contextual social work, social justice, multicultural competence, and social constructionism. Practice methods exemplifying empowerment social work feature policy practice, community action research, self-directed group work, grassroots community change, organizational redevelopment, community collaboration, and strengths-based approaches.