Policy Press

Building the Client's Relational Base

A Multidisciplinary Handbook

By Mark Furlong

Published

Feb 27, 2013

Page count

320 pages

ISBN

978-1847428615

Dimensions

240 x 172 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 27, 2013

Page count

320 pages

ISBN

978-1847428622

Dimensions

240 x 172 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 27, 2013

Page count

320 pages

ISBN

978-1447308676

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 27, 2013

Page count

320 pages

ISBN

978-1447312222

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Building the Client's Relational Base

Developed from nearly 20 years' practice and consulting experience, this ground-breaking text challenges practitioners to understand, and work, with their clients as relational beings rather than independent units, whatever the presenting problem might be. The book focuses on an often neglected key condition, that sustainable and accountable personal relationships are a precondition for health and well-being, and argues that there are always opportunities to deepen the quality, and range, of the client's connections with their current and future significant-others.

The central concern of the book is to describe practical actions that can be taken by any professional committed to strengthening the relational base of their clients - an agenda that is supported by coherently woven insights from critical theory and social epidemiology. Written in a compelling style and brought to life with more than twenty case vignettes, this original, practical and rich resource offers practitioners usable resources that can be incorporated within many practice roles.

Especially relevant to senior students and those in casework, this innovative, timely, multidisciplinary material is ideal for all those who wish to make a practical difference to the lives of their clients.

'Theoretically sophisticated and very practice oriented; Mark Furlong makes a significant contribution to promoting professional practices which aim to develop the client's 'relational self'. A very timely and engaging book'.

Professor Nigel Parton, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield

Mark Furlong, PhD., is a senior lecturer in the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University in Melbourne. Previously, he practiced in therapeutic and mental health settings where he specialized in consulting, training and practicing from a relationship-building perspective. He has published in numerous publications in the psychiatric, family therapy, family studies, psycho-therapeutic, social work and primary health fields.

Introduction; Anchor points; Isolation and its accomplices; How are we getting along?; Questioning professional norms; The practitioner's context; Attitudes determine practice; Relationship-building skills; Learning to act well relationally; Being an agent of cultural change