This book represents the first systematic account of the theory and practice of psychoanalytical social work. For students and those entering the field of social work who are interested in psychoanalytical social work it offers an overview of the diverse fields of practice of psychoanalytical social work and combines this with a description of its history, relation to other areas of social work and relevant psychoanalytical theories. The authors are convinced for this reason that both for students on degree courses as also for social workers and social education workers in further training the book offers an important contribution and fills a gap in this field. Equally, it addresses practising social workers, social educationalists, psychiatrists or psychotherapists offering comprehensive insight into this particular form of social work for those working in centres for counselling or early intervention or in social paediatrics. The authors have taken pains to make descriptions as clear and approachable as possible so as also to reach those who may not be familiar with psychoanalytical concepts, and have therefore included a chapter outlining the psychoanalytical theories of particular relevance to social work. At the end of the book they have, in addition, included around 20 definitions of important psychoanalytical concepts. In these definitions the relevance for the practice of social work is taken into particular account. The book is rounded off with a contribution by colleagues in the Association for Psychoanalytical Social Work in Tubingen/Rottenburg (Germany) bringing the practice of psychoanalytical social work to life in the form of case studies.

Translated by: Harriet Hasenclever