Social work is constantly epistemically evolving and embracing diverse bodies of knowledge to inform its ontology and practice frameworks.
Over the years the impact of feminist, post -colonial and queer theory, for example, has broadened the social work lens and invited a welcome departure from dominant Westernized, patriarchal and positivist paradigms. However, the separation of the spiritual realm from case work, clinical, community and group work traditions of social work remained steadfast. The last decade or so has seen forages into the issues of social work and spirituality. This examination into spirituality and social work has shown that for many service-users, spiritual practices (be they religious or non-religious) are important in their lives and their way out of difficulties. Concurrently, relationships between socio-political movements and global religions have grown increasingly complex. To create a truly holistic approach to the needs of service-users it is important that social work policy and practice gives voice to these complexities and understands the place of spirituality within service delivery. This book critically reflects upon and discusses the intersecting role of spirituality in the lives of people who access social work services.
By gathering contributions from people with lived experience, practitioners, and academics this book will explore a comprehensive range of issues, opening the area of spirituality to current critical, socio-political and cultural thought. It will be of interest to all social work scholars, students and practitioners.
Social work is constantly epistemically evolving and embracing diverse bodies of knowledge to inform its ontology and practice frameworks.
Part One - Exploring Spirituality. 1.Introduction. 2.Todays landscape:
Global Spirituality, The Socio-Political, Social Work and Contested Spaces.
3.Hearing the chorus of unending, sunlit, inexpressible songs. 4.Integrated
Self, Integrated Practice my journey toward self-acceptance and how it
enriched my social work practice. 5.A Spirited Reflection from my personal
and professional journey across social work. Part Two - Experiencing
Spirituality. 6.Considerations on Liberation theology and anti-oppressive
frameworks as companions in social work. 7.How does my dream-like self truly
love and engage this dream-like world?. 8.Forbidden, not forgotten: An
exploration of two social worker's relationship with their Celtic
spirituality. 9.Islam and Social Work: A Peaceful Path of Service to Others.
10.Storytelling through Ritual: Using a Jewish lens to understand the power
of social work practice. 11.A Greek Orthodox Perspective on Love (Agape) and
Spirituality When Working with Men Who Use Violence. 12.Protestant
Christianity and Social Work: Resonance and Dissonance. 13.Tapu o te tangata:
A Mori perspective on spiritually responsive social work. 14.The Truth of
Who One Is. Part Three - Engaging Spirituality. 15.Disability, Spirituality
and Social Work. 16.They call the Spirituality of my Ancestors madness
Embracing spiritually sensitive practice in child protection while working
with children of African heritage and their families in Australia. 17.Doubly
Misunderstood LGBTQIA+ experiences of social work and spirituality.
18.Connecting external and internal worlds: Environmental, spiritual, and
social. 19.Faithfully Yours - A view of Frontline Social Work within the
context of religion, faith, spirituality, and Domestic and Family Violence.
20.Advocacy, contracting, and spirited commitments: On saying no to a
government contract. 21.Spirited Healing: Restoring Wholeness to Survivors of
forced displacement. 22.Religious loss in the time of public health responses
to COVID-19. 23.A.L.I.F.E. that is spiritual: A conversation with and about
young peoples spiritual life. 24.Community Development and the social
capital in faith groups. 25.Courage, Care, and Concluding Thoughts.
Mary Jo McVeigh is a social work practitioner with over 40 years of international experience.
Joel Hollier is a social worker and academic with a background in theology and pastoral ministry.
Jioji Ravulo is the Professor and Chair of Social Work and Policy Studies at the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at The University of Sydney.
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