Written for students who are just beginning to study human services, this practical, easy-to-read guide provides a nuts-and-bolts overview of the field as well as a glimpse of what students can expect as they continue their education and begin working in their profession. Because the field encompasses many career opportunities, skills, and client populations, this text also helps students decide which specialty is right for them. AN OVERVIEW OF THE HUMAN SERVICES, 2nd Edition, provides a look at human services agencies, jobs, workers, and populations served; a clear analysis of the major theories of causality; and helpful special chapters on such important topics as ethics and stress management. It prepares students by challenging them to become active learners via self-reflection, case studies, real-world scenarios, applied and experiential activities, and inventories. This edition has been significantly revised and reorganized to improve coverage and flow of the material; for instance, with earlier and more detailed coverage of ethics, more information on two-year human service degrees, an entire chapter on case management, and a new chapter devoted to the issues and interventions related to interpersonal partner abuse, sexual assault (including military sexual assault), HIV/AIDS, and LGBT populations.