Resolving Ethical Challenges in Social Work Practice
Elaine P. Congress, DSW, MSW, MA, LCSW
Eric Levine, DSW, LMSW, MSW
Katie Schendel, LMSW
Turn complex ethical challenges into confident action with applied frameworks and real-world insight.
Includes CourseConnect: Know It. Use It. Test It. – The Smarter Way to Learn and Succeed!
Enhance and expand your social work practice with a comprehensive, case-based text designed for today’s rapidly changing landscape. Featuring authentic scenarios reflecting contemporary ethical challenges, it helps students, faculty, and practitioners apply frameworks, interpret the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics, and implement solutions. This textbook helps strengthen critical thinking and professional judgment with multi-level practice coverage, diverse contributor insights, and digital resources. Know, use, and test your understanding of course content with CourseConnect—an interactive learning platform included with your print purchase.
Key Features:
- Provides case-based chapters with frameworks, tools, and ethics codeintegration for real-world analysis
- Builds confidence to assess ethical dilemmas and implement effective, professional decisions
- Includes Instructor’s Manual, Instructor Test Bank, Instructor ChapterPowerPoint slides, and Sample Syllabus
- Renowned leaders and practitioners bring diverse expertise and practical insight to every chapter
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Contributors
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Resources
UNIT I. SOCIAL WORK ETHICS, THE NASW CODE, AND ETHICAL THEORY
Chapter 1. Introduction and Overview
Chapter 2. Codes of Ethics
Chapter 3. A Moral Response to a Shattered World: The Values, Principles, and Theory of Social Work Ethics
Chapter 4. From Theory to Practice: Social Work Models of Ethical Decision Making
UNIT II. ETHICAL PROBLEM SOLVING—CLIENTS, PROFESSIONALS, ORGANIZATIONS
Chapter 5. Confidentiality and Privacy in Social Work
Chapter 6. Boundaries and Dual Relationships
Chapter 7. Ethical Challenges in Technology, AI, and Social Media
UNIT III. ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE—MICRO, MEZZO, AND MACRO APPLICATION
Chapter 8. Ethical Dilemmas in Physical Health
Chapter 9. Ethical Dilemmas in Mental Health
Chapter 10. Ethical Dilemmas in Substance Use Disorders—Interventions
Chapter 11. Ethical Dilemmas in Group and Family Work
Chapter 12. Ethical Dilemmas in Children's Services
Chapter 13. Ethical Dilemmas in Services to Older People
Chapter 14. Ethical Dilemmas in Macro Practice: Administration and Organizations
Chapter 15. Ethical Dilemmas in Macro Practice: Community Organizing
Chapter 16. Ethical Dilemmas in Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Chapter 17. Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Education
UNIT IV. ETHICS OF RACE, OPPRESSION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Chapter 18. Ethics and the Other: Racialized Borders, Black Immigrants, and the Ethics of Belonging
Chapter 19. Ethical Dilemmas and Transgender Care in Conservative and Liberal Environments
Chapter 20. Ethical Issues and Social Policy—Immigration
UNIT V. CONCLUSION—LIVING AND PRACTICING ETHICALLY
Chapter 21. The Ethical Professional in an Era of Empathy Abandonment
Chapter 22. The Future of Social Work Ethics: Reflections on the Ethics and Philosophy of Practice in Contentious Times
Index
Suggested Courses:
- Values and Ethics for Social Work Practice/Service Delivery
- Philosophical Foundations of Social Work
- Legal Foundations of Social Work
Included Instructor Resources:
- LMS Common Cartridge With All Instructor Resources
- Instructor's Manual
- Instructor Test Bank
- Instructor Chapter PowerPoints
- Sample Syllabus
Included Student Resources:
- Glossary
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- Release Date: December 28, 2026
- Paperback / softback
- 351 Pages
- Trim Size: 7in x 10in
- Number of Illustrations: 1
- ISBN: 9780826191649
- eBook ISBN: 9780826187697



