Social Work Practice with Children

“Will clearly help in educating students at the undergraduate and graduate levels and preparing them for the challenges that they will face.”

—Child and Family Social Work (on the second edition)


“I think the best social work practice with children is grounded in knowledge of both classic sources (such as Selma Fraiberg) and up-to-date research (for example, in modern developmental neuroscience). The fourth edition of Webb's text exemplifies that integration of the best from then and now. It offers the aspiring practitioner a guidebook steeped in wisdom and research.”

—James Garbarino, PhD, Maude C. Clarke Chair in Humanistic Psychology, Loyola University Chicago


“In this fourth edition of Social Work Practice with Children, Webb not only updates the essential knowledge base presented in previous editions, but also provides important information on how to address such issues as gender identity struggles, immigration, and trauma from exposure to global violence. Combining theory with vivid examples that demonstrate concrete skills for working with children and families, the book reflects our increasing understanding of the importance of neuroscience and evidence-based research. It belongs on the bookshelf of every social work student and practitioner looking for effective ways to help children today.”

—Shulamith Lala Ashenberg Straussner, PhD, LCSW, Silver School of Social Work, New York University


“Webb’s classic text, now in its fourth edition, continues to increase practitioners’ wisdom about how kids' lives are affected by trauma and chronic stress, and how to help them and their families.”

—Charles R. Figley, PhD, Kurzweg Chair in Disaster Mental Health, Tulane University School of Social Work


“Like earlier editions, the fourth edition of this text provides a wealth of empirical information as well as clinical insights into working with children. It is filled with interesting and varied cases that highlight the breadth of child clients and the issues they face. I appreciate the new chapter on immigrant and refugee children.”

—Julie Anne Laser-Maira, PhD, MSW, LCSW, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver


“As mental health first responders, school mental health professionals work hard to meet students where they're at. The updated fourth edition of this classic text focuses on the all-important, one-on-one encounter between social workers and children, and offers a wealth of strategies and frameworks to do this work well. Particularly welcome is new content related to youth dealing with gender identity issues and updated content related to childhood trauma. Social work students will appreciate the attention to DSM-5 and the numerous ways to directly apply the ideas in the text in their field settings.”

—Michael S. Kelly, PhD, LCSW, Professor and Director, School Mental Health Advanced Practice Program, Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work


“This book will inspire creative therapists of all disciplines to practice in a way informed by contemporary social, cultural, economic, and political transformations. The fourth edition highlights clinical tools and formats for addressing modern issues affecting children, such as poverty, violence, immigration, gender identity issues, terrorism, and demographic shifts. It includes crisis principles and insightful considerations regarding how to situate creative and other therapies within a crisis team response. Creative therapists need not only to hone their clinical skills, but also to deliver care thoughtfully and effectively in the multiple contexts of a child’s life, including the home, school, and community. Nancy Boyd Webb guides practitioners to do just that.”

—Sarah C. Patton, PsyD, Primary Therapist, The Renfrew Center of Orlando


“An essential text. Webb provides guidance, wisdom, and inspiration. For courses on practice with children and families, this text is especially helpful as a step-by step guide to thoughtful, diversity-sensitive practice. It helps practitioners who are just starting out develop the capacity to work with challenging and complex populations. I found the text to be a wonderful companion to classroom discussions, with students expressing a significant connection to the realism and depth of the case studies.”

—Michael O. Weiner, LCSW, School of Social Work, Adelphi University