Emotions of Social Workers

Alessandro Sicora is Professor of Social Work at the University of Trento.

• Introduction1. Emotions and social work2. How to reflect on and learn from emotionally rich experiences3. Shame: one of the greatest obstacles to reflective practice4. Anger: energy to overcome obstacles to effective help5. Disgust: one of the least considered emotions in social work6. Fear and risk in the helping professions7. Sadness: the darkest and most difficult of emotions also in social work?8. Joy: a source of learning and wellbeing for social workers.9. Emotions in social work education and supervision10. Listen, learn, and enhance social work practice and well-being through mindful attention to emotions

“Meticulously researched and thoughtfully written, this book is an essential read for all social work professionals and students. It sets out, in powerful and persuasive arguments, why emotions are at the core of effective social work practice. Providing readers with knowledge of definitions and theories, techniques for recognising and capitalising on emotions in professional ways, and relatable case study chapters on specific emotions, it is the ‘go-to’ resource for all qualified and qualifying social workers on emotions in professional practice.” Karen Winter, Chair of the European Social Work Research Association