
Social Work Practice in Health
An Introduction to Contexts, Theories and Skills
Melissa Petrakis(Editor)
Routledge (Publisher)
3rd Edition
Will be published approx. on 3. November 2026
Book
Hardback
318 pages
978-1-041-32879-7 (ISBN)
Description
Health service practice requires diverse approaches and wide-ranging knowledge. This fully revised and expanded third edition draws on the expertise of leading researchers and practitioners to provide a guide to the disparate settings in which social workers are engaged, and the conceptual frameworks needed for effective practice.
The book includes three new chapters on: taking a human rights approach in restrictive settings; working with women and couples at the significant life stage of pregnancy, birth and infancy; and on working inclusively with families in mental health. Part I provides an overview of the social determinants of health, and discusses compassion in healthcare, neoliberalism, and indigenous approaches to health. Part II explores key areas of practice including trauma-informed practice, mental health, and aged care. Part III looks at politicised issues, and key reform agendas in the field including suicidal distress and refugee health, concluding with a consideration of health social work in regional, rural and remote settings.
Underpinning this book is a clear guide to assessment procedures, case management, strengths-based practices, and developing effective partnerships and collaboration. All this makes Social Work Practice in Health a key reference tool for students and practitioners of social work.
The book includes three new chapters on: taking a human rights approach in restrictive settings; working with women and couples at the significant life stage of pregnancy, birth and infancy; and on working inclusively with families in mental health. Part I provides an overview of the social determinants of health, and discusses compassion in healthcare, neoliberalism, and indigenous approaches to health. Part II explores key areas of practice including trauma-informed practice, mental health, and aged care. Part III looks at politicised issues, and key reform agendas in the field including suicidal distress and refugee health, concluding with a consideration of health social work in regional, rural and remote settings.
Underpinning this book is a clear guide to assessment procedures, case management, strengths-based practices, and developing effective partnerships and collaboration. All this makes Social Work Practice in Health a key reference tool for students and practitioners of social work.
More details
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate and Undergraduate Advanced
Illustrations
3 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder, 13 s/w Zeichnungen, 8 s/w Tabellen, 16 s/w Abbildungen
8 Tables, black and white; 13 Line drawings, black and white; 3 Halftones, black and white; 16 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 174 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-041-32879-7 (9781041328797)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
approx. 11/2026
3rd Edition
Routledge
€52.50
Not yet published
E-Book
approx. 11/2026
3rd Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Not yet available
E-Book
approx. 11/2026
3rd Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Not yet available
Previous edition

Book
12/2022
2nd Edition
Routledge
€193.45
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Melissa Petrakis is an associate professor in social work at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and director of SWITCH Research Group. She is a senior research fellow with St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne's Mental Health Service and has over 30 years' experience in public health and mental health service provision, management and research.
Content
PART I: WHAT IS HEALTH SOCIAL WORK? ROLE, VALUES AND PRINCIPLES FOR PRACTICE 1.An introduction to health services practice and the social determinants of health 2.A Social Justice Perspective on the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Dimensions of Health 3.Neoliberal capitalism and its impact on individual and community health: Implications for critical social workers 4.Compassion in healthcare 5.Promoting and delivering a human rights approach: working in interdisciplinary emergency and crisis mental health settings 6.Shared Learning and Healing-Informed Practice: Social Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Health PART II: HEALTH PRACTICE AND PRACTICE CONTEXTS 7.Trauma Informed Practice 8.Mental Health Social Work: Recovery-oriented Practice Engagement and Collaboration 9.The Postpartum Period: Psychosocial Insights from Social Work and Doula-Informed Care 10.Aged Care: Health, Assessments, In-Home Care and Residential Care 11.Engaging people with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues: practice principles and tools 12.Social Work Practice and People Living with Disability PART III: REFORM AGENDAS 13.Suicidal Distress and Social Work: Social Justice Practice Beyond a Risk Paradigm 14.Working Inclusively with Families in Mental Health - A Relational Recovery Approach 15.Bringing Whanau Ora to Health Social Work 16.Social Work in Health: Considerations for Refugee Health 17.Health social work in regional, rural, and remote settings: Responding to context