HIV and Social Work

Book excerpt: As HIV/AIDS continue to plague societies around the world, more and more social workers encounter HIV-infected individuals and their families and friends who are searching for help and support. In HIV and Social Work: A Practitioner's Guide, experienced social workers share their practice wisdom, knowledge, and skills on a broad range of issues. Their words of wisdom will give you the willingness to follow problems through and the flexibility and creativity that are required when dealing with issues concerning HIV/AIDS. At the same time, you will achieve a sense of empowerment and optimism as you realize that there are things you can do--very specific kinds of help you can offer--that can make an enormous difference in the lives of people with HIV/AIDS and those who love and care for them. HIV and Social Work is a practical, user-friendly resource for social workers who practice in a variety of settings and fields. You'll find it a rich and useful book if you're moving into HIV/AIDS work and want guidance, or if you're experienced and want to sharpen your skills, or if you just want to be prepared for when you find people with HIV or their family members in your office in need of help. Specifically, you'll gain valuable insight about: basic psychosocial interventions for people with HIV/AIDS in-depth practical suggestions for specific problem areas and specific groups of people with HIV/AIDS better listening skills how to know your own limitations and live your own life more fully in the face of sadness the importance and challenge of returning to fundamental social work skills You'll refer to HIV and Social Work time and time again as you confront new HIV-related situations in your practice for which you need easy-to-understand descriptions of what to do and how to do it. Acknowledging your busy schedule, the book is organized so that you may use it on a “knowledge as needed” basis or read it straight through. Written specifically by and for social workers, HIV and Social Work is highly recommended as required reading in social work programs at the Bachelor's and/or Master's levels.