ABOUT THE BOOK:
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.
MY REVIEW:
5 stars
I like the A to Z format of the book and thought that was a cute idea, to come up with a self-care method for every letter of the alphabet. It is written by social workers for social workers, but I’m glad the title includes “other helping professionals” because it really can apply to anybody. Self-care is especially important in a helping profession, but this is a book that anyone can benefit from. Who doesn’t need to focus more on self-care? Probably everyone! Social workers and other mental health professionals will understand the material a little better, though. Terms such as “motivational interviewing” are things a therapist knows, but other people probably won’t.
Each section has a Reflection/Discussion at the end, and each section also includes a list of resources, which I know is necessary when using material found elsewhere, but I also think it comes in handy when you want to learn more about a topic.
Self-care is something that is taught a lot in social work programs. Social work students probably get tired of self-care and self-reflection exercises while in school, but I’m here to tell you that once you’re out there in the real world on the job, you really need the reminder to take care of yourself! Occasionally at a conference there will be a speaker who will speak on self-care, but other than that, it is something you have to do for yourself. There are no more teachers making you focus on self-care exercises. I’m going to leave this book in my office, which I share with other social workers and nurses, because it will be useful to all of us, especially during a particularly stressful shift or case.
- Reviewed by Kristi King-Morgan, LMSW
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for a review. I was not required to post a positive review, and all opinions are my own.