Self-care is an imperative for the ethical practice of social work and other helping professions. From A (awareness) to Z (ZZZZ--Sleep), the editors and contributors use a simple A-to-Z framework to outline strategies to help you build a self-care plan with specific goals and ways to reach them realistically. Questions for reflection and additional resource lists help you to dig deeper in your self-care journey. Just as the ABCs are essential building blocks for a young child’s learning, you can use the ABCs in The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals to build your way to a happy, healthy, ethical life as a helping professional. Includes a self-care planning form to help you set goals and formulate strategies.
The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals...offers a broad range of concrete suggestions for improving individual self-care that should provide guidance and support to fit a broad range of practitioner needs. The book also includes material in several chapters that notes the important role organizations must take in stress and burnout reduction and support of self-care.
SUE STEINER, Ph.D., MSW, Professor, School of Social Work at California State University, Chico, Co-author, Self-Care in Social Work: A Guide for Practitioners, Supervisors, and Administrators
...a caring and useful resource for helping professionals concerned about burnout, stress, staff turnover, and wellness.... By focusing on insights and reflections and providing resources and strategies, The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook is a practical guide and an empowering book.
DR. BARBARA W. SHANK, Ph.D., MSW, Dean and Professor, School of Social Work, University of St. Thomas, St. Catherine University, Chair, Board of Directors, Council on Social Work Education
As the leader of a large nonprofit organization, the health and well-being of my colleagues is always top of mind for me. The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals is just what an organization like ours needed to promote self-care in a way that makes sense for all of us!
JENNIFER HANCOCK, LCSW, President & CEO, Volunteers of America—Mid-States
Sometimes there is a book that speaks to what you also have tried to put into words that feels truly hand-in-glove. I see The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals as precisely this book.
SARAKAY SMULLENS, MSW, LCSW, author of Burnout and Self-Care in Social Work: A Guidebook for Students and Those in Mental Health and Related Professions
Grise-Owens, Miller, & Eaves’ The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals is a much-needed handbook to inspire and guide self-care practice. Its insights are far-ranging, original, practical, and flexible. The short chapter format, focused topics, and fresh tone are both accessible and sure to motivate. Even those who have given a great deal of thought and attention to self-care will find new, exciting, and practicable guidance in its pages.
LISA D. BUTLER, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University at Buffalo, School of Social Work, Primary Developer, UBSSW Self-Care Starter Kit
Erlene Grise-Owens (Ed.D., LCSW, LMFT, MRE) is a Partner in The Wellness Group, ETC. This LLC provides evaluation, training, and consultation for organizational wellness and practitioner well-being. As a former faculty member and graduate program director, she and a small (but mighty!) group of colleagues implemented an initiative to promote self-care as part of the social work education curriculum. Previously, she served in clinical and administrative roles. She has experience with navigating toxicity and dysfunction. Likewise, as an educator, she saw students enter the field and quickly burn out. As a dedicated social worker, she believes the well-being of practitioners is a matter of social justice and human rights. Thus, she is on a mission to promote self-care and wellness.
Justin “Jay” Miller is an Assistant Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky. Jay has previously worked as a social worker at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Louisville’s Crimes Against Children Unit, and the Ireland Army Hospital at Fort Knox. Jay is dedicated to social issues and community outreach, a passion that he brings to his work as an educator and scholar. His research and academic interests focus on child welfare, particularly outcomes related to foster care and adoption. Jay was a Cohort Two Doris Duke Fellow (Doris Duke Foundation and Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago) and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Louisville. Jay enjoys physical fitness for self-care. Last but not least, Jay is a proud foster care alum!
Mindy Eaves (CSW, MSW) is the founding Ombudsman for Jefferson County Public Schools, faculty at Spalding University teaching in the Social Work Graduate Program, and a doctoral student at the University of St. Thomas. Mindy is a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society and graduated summa cum laude with an MSW from Spalding University. Her areas of interest include critical race theory; prison pipeline; social policy; intersection of race, class, and gender; and social work education. Mindy is a recipient of the Cabinet for Health & Families Award for Excellence, Social Worker of the Year, and Kentucky Court of Justice KLEO Award. Mindy loves quality time with her family and tranquility of nature for self-care.
