This text is now well known as the first to incorporate the empowerment or strengths approach into the generalist (introductory) practice course.

The Third Edition continues to emphasize a generalist, empowerment-oriented approach to practice at all levels (individual, family, groups, organizations, and community). The revision has incorporated more information on cultural groups, including consideration of white privilege and added emphasis on developing cross-cultural skills (Chapter 3), and updated information on cultural group strengths (Chapter 9). There is also a renewed emphasis on larger systems including new frameworks for larger system assessment (Chapter 10) and more discussion of closure issues within larger systems (Chapter 16). Over 200 new resources have been added to update the research base and add breadth and depth to the consideration of empowerment-based practice.