Book Review Poulin, J. (2000). Collaborative social work: Strengths-based generalist practice. Itasca, IL: F.E. Peacock Publishers, Inc.

The term strengths perspective seems to now be as popular in the social work field as solution-focused once was in the profession. However, according to Saleeby (1996), many practitioners that purport to conduct strengths-based practice, in fact, do not. In addition, although a focus on clients’ strengths is a value of the profession, Saleeby adds that the strengths perspective is “a dramatic departure from conventional social work practice (p.3).” Therefore, social work texts that clearly and extensively discuss the use of practice models that emerge from the strengths perspective are warranted.