Working with Families, Third Edition is an accessible and practice-oriented guide that equips students and practitioners alike with the knowledge and tools to support families facing complex and evolving challenges. Through clinical and sociological perspectives and employing a strengths-based approach, this thoroughly updated edition provides a broad overview of factors affecting Canadian families such as diverse family structures, healthy and unhealthy forms of communication, family culture and beliefs, couple dynamics, addiction, and developmental and psychiatric disabilities. Covering a range of topics, the author draws special attention to 2SLGBTQI and military families, the effects of violence and trauma, and professional ethics and self-care. Thorough updates to this third edition reflect contemporary issues such as trauma-informed practice, social media and its impact on families, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous families, colonialism, and "good enough parenting." Utilizing straightforward language, applied focus, and extensive pedagogical supports Working with Families, Third Edition remains an indispensable resource for students and practitioners of social services, child and youth work, family studies and health-related programs, and early childhood education.
Dr. Patricia Spindel has worked with youth and engaged in systemic advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families and older adults for over forty years. She taught at both the University of Guelph-Humber and the Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, where she also coordinated the Social Services Worker Program and was an Associate Dean of Health Sciences. She is a former President of Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care Facilities, co-founder of the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, organizer of the Ontario Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, and co-founder of Seniors for Social Action Ontario.
Introduction Chapter 1 The Changing Structure of Families Chapter 2 Building on Family Strengths and Promoting Resilience Chapter 3 Developmental Stages in Families Chapter 4 Family Communication Styles and Couple Dynamics Chapter 5 Family Roles, Diversity, and Gender Issues Chapter 6 Family Scripts, Myths, Beliefs, Secrets, and Legacies Chapter 7 Family Functioning, Scapegoating, and Attachment Issues Chapter 8 Couple Relationships Chapter 9 Families and Disability Chapter 10 Family Violence Chapter 11 Addiction and the Family Chapter 12 Family Assessment Chapter 13 The Covid 19 Pandemic, Social Isolation, and the Impact of Social Media Chapter 14 Positive Strategies for Working with Families Chapter 15 Working with Parents with Complex Needs Chapter 16 Working with Military Families Chapter 17 Grieving Families Chapter 18 Common Pitfalls in Working with Families Index
"Working with Families, Second Edition is an incredible teaching and learning tool for health providers and all of us alike. The author seeks the potential in all of us to engage ... in mutually beneficial experiences that will foster a social connectedness, that reflects demographic trends and intergenerational practice. A must publication for all to read and appreciate the diverseness of our rich country."-The Honourable Marvin Zuker, Associate Professor, The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto "Dr. Spindel has created a text that is strengths-based and resiliency-focused, while also addressing the intersections of oppression that diverse Canadian families face. Working with Families, Second Edition brings contemporary and family systems concepts to life with relevant and practical activities, case examples, and questions."-Cindy Rammage, Associate Professor, Child and Youth Care, University of the Fraser Valley
