This revision gives social work students learning experiences that are as close to real-life practice as they can get before going out into the field. The book has long been praised for the rigor of its theory along with its emphasis on improving and refining the student's assessment, helping, and communication skills through numerous examples, case studies, and relevant practice exercises. Now this edition is earning praise for being even more readable and on the cutting edge with its inclusion of new material about managed care and diversity issues, and its expanded emphasis on client strengths and empowerment.

This revision integrates material developed by new co-author Ronald Rooney, including coverage of the increasing contact social workers today have with "involuntary clients", people who have been referred by others or who are legally mandated to see a social worker. The authors describe how dealing with these involuntary clients presents new challenges for social workers because they are more likely to be non-compliant, confrontational, or resistant.