Ted talks are on such an array of subjects. There are several that I have assigned to clients in my private practice and there are a few I’ve used in training with the team of care coordinators I supervise. In our time-crunched world, sometimes a 10 minute or more video seems impossibly long. I would encourage you to take some time and watch some talks that interest you. Below are some of my favorite talks that I think are beneficial for social workers and those who are interested in social work. Whatever topic you may be interested in – I bet you find it in TED talks.
February 28, 2016
Degree Directory, Mental Health, Social Work, Uncategorized qualities of a social worker, social work, Social Work Resources, TedTalks
January 31, 2016
Career, Degree Directory, Mental Health, Social Work private practice, qualities of a social worker, Social Work Careers, Social Work Jobs, therapist
Maybe Social Work as a career has appealed to you, but you have doubts if the field is a good fit because you want to be a therapist. The mental health field is riddled with different fields of study that lead to a career as a therapist. These disciplines often overlap but each one has their own strength to bring to the table when treating clients.
Can a social worker’s training prepare them to be a clinical therapist? The answer is yes! As a social worker, I admit bias, but there are many reasons being a social worker makes for a fantastic therapist.
November 29, 2015
Career, Degree Directory, Social Work follow your passion, qualities of a social worker, social work, Social Work Careers, social work student
With Thanksgiving just behind us and continuing in the holiday season, many of us take time to express thanks and feel gratitude about the bounty we have. Most of us are thankful for our families, friends and other loved ones. We feel thankful for the health we may have, the material things we have acquired, laughter, children, moments of joy, and even just being alive
People often say they are thankful to have a job and a way to provide for themselves and those they love. I rarely hear people say they are thankful for the career they have chosen because it ignites their passions. My wish for everyone is not only do they have a job that pays the bills but a career that gratifies and feeds their soul. I am grateful to have found that career in social work. If you are thinking about becoming a social worker, are a social worker or even know a social worker, check below for the list of reasons I am grateful for this calling.
July 25, 2015
Career, Degree Directory, Social Work, Uncategorized career, ethics, goals, mental health, national association of social workers, private practice, qualities of a social worker, social work problems, social worker
As a social worker, we care about people. We want them to live the best life they can. And…at least secretly – we are sure we know what the best choices are to get what we view as the best life.
It turns out though – that even though we are assisting people in finding their way – their choices and their desired outcomes aren’t up to us. One of the main tenets of social work is self – determination.
The National Association of Social Workers states self-determination is an ethical principle of professional practice.
“Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals. Social workers may limit clients’ right to self-determination when, in the social workers’ professional judgment, clients’ actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to themselves or others.”
It is imperative that a social worker is aware of their own value system and beliefs so they aren’t subconsciously or subtly moving the client to the clinician’s goals. You want to act for your client’s best interest but who decides what that is?
April 20, 2015
Career, Social Work, Uncategorized career, qualities of a social worker, social work, Social Work Jobs
When I started college I had no idea what career I would choose. Then, my first semester, the Psychology class I tried to add to my schedule was full. Disappointed, I signed up for a Sociology class. I’ve always thought it fateful I ended up in that Sociology class because it became the foundation for my entire career. I told a woman in my dorm about my Sociologist dream and she said “I don’t know if there are jobs in Sociology. You should go into social work instead.” With that push, everything came together. My qualities and experience meshed so well with the values of social work. I found what I was born to do.
Are you curious about your fit as a social worker? Are you wondering what qualities are beneficial to have? These are a few of the skills I believe are essential for a modern social worker.