Contemporary Issues in Human Services: Special Topics for Clinical Practice, Public Health, and Social Justice

by James C. Wadley (Editor)

Overview

This text informs human services students and practitioners on complex contemporary issues in the human services, public health, and clinical social work fields, allowing them to be more agile and better-prepared agents and leaders of change.

Dr. James C. Wadley brings together a collection of critical perspectives from the top human service practitioners, administrators, advocates, and leaders in the field. Chapters consider contemporary issues such as social justice, sexuality, ability and disability, policy formation, pedagogy, mental health, sociopolitical perspectives, constructions of race and gender, and social positioning and identities. This text helps readers in human services, public health, and social work fields expand their understanding about service access and coordination, resource delivery, and the potential implications for a variety of populations and settings. Each chapter offers an opportunity to engage professionals, students, clients, and constituents in meaningful dialogue about sensitive issues that impact a range of communities and individuals. This book also offers a wealth of strategies, insight, interventions, and suggestions for students and practitioners to consider while working with a myriad of populations.

This book is an invaluable resource for human service professionals, social workers, policymakers, mental health practitioners, community behavioral health professionals, as well as undergraduate and graduate students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040418215
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/04/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	346

About the Author

James C. Wadley, Ph.D is a professor in the Human Services Department at Lincoln University. He is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships, and founder and principal of the Association of Black Sexologists and Clinicians.

Table of Contents

SECTION I: Leading Conversations about Clinical Practice in Human Services

1. Therapists’ grief: Creativity as Part of an Essential Ethical Practice

Rebecca Arnold

2. Trauma-Informed Human Service Practices

Deirdre O’Sullivan, Jennifer L. Hanna, Shyrun Karandikar

3. Sense of Belonging in Interprofessional Collaboration

Luanne Shaw & Scott Shaw

4. Partner Abuse in Domestic and Dating Relationships: How Trauma Impacts the Brain, the Family, and Functioning

Corinne D. Warrener

5. The Power of Play: Exploring the Efficacy of Play Therapy in Child Abuse Cases Michelle M. Pliske

6. Digital Community Exploration(s): How Can Incel community Insight(s) Inform Generalist Human Services Practice in the Digital Era

Cayetana Calderon-Smith

7. Connected Recovery™: Therapeutic Navigation of Problematic and Out-of-Control Sexual Behavior

Laney Knowlton

SECTION II: Leading Conversations about Public Health and Human Services

8. The Intersection of Public Health and Human Services

Neil E. Duchac, Jill S. Minor, Jonah N. Duchac

9. One Health and Human Services: A Course in Land Based Care Work

Melina McConatha and Nikki DiGregorio

10. Navigating Parental Challenges in Child Welfare: Strategies for Enhancing Family Resilience

Devin Wadley

11. Nothing without Us!: Working in Community with Disabled Persons

Mia Ocean, Melissa Hirschi, Meagan Corrado, and Lashirah Warren Glenn

12. Supporting Graduate Students’ Mental Health: Addressing Challenges for Underrepresented Communities

Adrian Rodriguez

13. Shifting the Narrative in Healthcare: From “Limited English Proficiency” to “Limited Linguistic and Cultural Competence”

Neda Moinolmolki

14. Reframing Adolescent Development Through the Lens of Cascading Collective Trauma

Daya Patton

15. Treating Adults Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV

Angela M. Wilbon

16. Human Services and Sexuality Consultation: The Need to Move Beyond Clinical Discomfort in Talking about Sex

Anastasia Gorden

17. The Impact of Loss, Death, and Bereavement Across the Lifespan

Michelle M. Pliske

SECTION III: Leading Conversations: Cultural Considerations and Social Justice

18. “Edge Dancers: Mixed Heritage Identity Negotiation of Multi-Racial/Ethnic Students in Higher Education. Are They Welcome in Human Services Departments?”

Mikel Hogan

19. Health Equity: Addressing a Social Justice imperative for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) through a Population Health Framework

Darrin E. Wright

20. Death Customs: Cross-Cultural Issues of Grief and Bereavement

Rolanda L. Ward, Isiah Marshall Jr., Pedro M. Hernandez, Patrice R. Jenkins

21. A "Real World" Social Work Analysis of Child and Family Welfare:

Implications for Culturally Competent Interventions to Address 21st Century Issues

Irma J. Gibson

22. Being Still…: Reflections about Professionalism, Friendship, and

Internalized White Supremacy in Human Services

Jasalynne Northcross

23. Access to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Art: Healing Trauma and Transforming Children and Youth in Marginalized Communities

Treva Gray Jones

24. Creating a Beloved Community: A Radical Approach to Unlearning Racism

Tracy Robinson Whitaker

SECTION IV: Leading Conversations about Human Services and Education

25. Creative Means to Address Mental Health in the African American Community: Arts, Advocacy, and Awareness

Denise F. Brown

26. Addressing Empathy Deficits in College-age Students Utilizing Social Work Pedagogy Amid Social Shifts

Sandra R. Williamson-Ashe

27. The New Homeschool Movement: What Human Service Professionals Need to Know

Emilee Prins and Scott Shaw

SECTION V: Leading Conversations about Human Services Trends

28. Human Service Transformations and Emergent Trends

James C. Wadley

Editorial Reviews

With its diverse perspectives and actionable insights, Leading Conversations in Human Services serves as a dynamic guide for fostering critical thinking, advocacy, and leadership. It equips readers to analyze and predict trends, address systemic issues, and become effective agents of change. A must-read for those dedicated to advancing equity and innovation in human services, this book offers both inspiration and practical tools for creating meaningful impact.”

Monique Howard, EdD, MPH, senior director, Women’s Health Initiatives, Center for Global Women’s Health

“For instructors aiming to educate and graduate the next generation of Human Service professionals, Contemporary Issues in Human Services: Special Topics for Clinical Practice, Public Health, and Social Justice is the essential book. This compilation of readings will provide valuable insights and practical tools for Human Service professionals. Here, Dr. James Wadley brings together writings from a diverse pool of experts to shed light on topics like interprofessional collaboration (a future-focused trend in healthcare), best practices for supporting marginalized populations (a key factor in promoting equality), and human development-based approaches to serving individuals at various life stages (a best practice for targeted, tailored care).”

Jeannette M. Wade, PhD, associate professor and program director – Human Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

“This book is a must have for human service and public health practitioners. It offers transformative strategies for a variety of human service settings that equips professionals with the tools needed for complex situations. I can’t wait to share this book with my students and my colleagues. Awesome, indeed!”

Kamilah Woodson, PhD, Professor of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies, Howard University

From the Publisher