UBC Press Working with Schizophrenia book Paperback 200 pages

This is a practical handbook for all professionals, especially those based in the community, and others working with people suffering from schizophrenia. It is concerned with promoting real understanding of their experiences and developing effective ways to facilitate them to maintain a reasonable quality of life.Featuring many contributions from sufferers, carers and service providers, and based on a tried and tested needs based approach pioneered by the author and her colleagues, it begins by looking at the present `state of play' in society's approach to schizophrenia, and the experiences of both sufferers and their families. It goes on to identify the needs raised by such experiences and considers ways of meeting such needs, before detailing methods of intervention, including groupwork and the provision of resources.

Gwen Howe began her career in psychiatric social work twenty years ago. A specialist senior practitioner and ASW until 1988, she went on to manage a centre for schizophrenia sufferers. Now retired, her fourth book was published earlier this year. Gwen is co-ordinator of a local pressure group of sufferers and carers and a member of Depression Alliances professional advisory panel. She is frequently asked to give talks and advice on serious mental illness.