Social media assists the social worker with connecting with others.  People spend a lot of time on their computers and smart phones.   Social Media helps you market your practice and lets your clients know who you are.  I don’t know how many times someone said to me “Your website was so welcoming” or “the quotes you put on Facebook really help me be more positive.”  It humanizes you and you can share your message with others.

Social Media also opens up a path to communicating with other professionals.  There are therapists in different states that I have never met in person but I have shared dialogue with and learned from.  It allows for perspectives outside of just our immediate circle.  Randomly, it has also helped me engage with my adolescent clients.  In the world of technology I am old!  The youth I see teach me about different sites and apps and it helps build rapport.  (I would have no idea how to use or even what snapchat is if it weren’t for my adolescent clients!!!)

If you do utilize social media as business, remember that once you put something on the internet – it is there forever.  Even if you delete a post, someone will be able to find.  Think carefully about what you put out there.  It is ethically responsible to have a social media policy.  It isn’t OK for you to be Facebook friends with your clients.  As the social worker, you will have to make the effort to maintain boundaries.  Here’s a quick example of a social media policy but they can definitely be more inclusive and specific.

Social Media Policy

I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). I believe that adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship.

I keep a Professional Facebook Page for my practice to allow people to share my blog posts and other information I think is interesting or may be useful.  You are welcome to “like” my professional page.  No one except me is able to see who likes my page.  Please remember if you post on my page that everything else on the page is available for anyone to read.  Your privacy and confidentiality are my upmost concern.

Using technology can also give a means to offering services to individuals who may otherwise not get services.  Someone may live in a rural area or be afraid to leave their house or not have transportation or have issues with mobility – and with technology they can still receive services.  Obviously, online therapy is not right for everyone – for example someone who is suicidal – but I hope social workers don’t just dismiss the idea out of hand.   Here is my online therapy page so you have an explanation example.  Feel free to use any of the information from the page (and remember what works for me may not be a fit for everyone.)      http://holdinghopeservices.com/online-therapy-and-coaching/

Are their risks to online therapy and using social media?  YES.  Yes in big letters.  First be knowledgeable.  Get educated in using online technology.  Spend time on the internet educating yourself on best practice. If you are doing teletherapy a good resource to start your journey is at http://onlinetherapyinstitute.com/.   There is even a distance learning credential you can earn.  Take time to learn about the ins and outs of the online world.  For example, did you know that Skype isn’t HIPAA compliant?  Thankfully there are HIPAA compliant online therapy platforms out there.  Also think about email.  I use a confidential email through an internet medical records program for passing protected health information.  If I use my other email (usually for scheduling purposes only)  there is a disclosure indicating that the email isn’t necessarily confidential.

Here is an example of my disclosure.  Again, just an example and not meant to be inclusive for all.

Please  keep in mind that email communications are not to be necessarily considered secure.
Please be cautious with the information you reveal through these methods as I cannot assure confidentiality in those cases.
Remember that email may not be read in a timely manner.  If this is an emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender by e-mail at the address shown.  This e-mail transmission may contain confidential information.  This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) or entity to whom it is intended even if addressed incorrectly.  Please delete it from your files if you are not the intended recipient. Thank you for your compliance.

I’m not trying to scare you with all these disclosures – just want to make sure you start thinking about the big picture of using the internet.  I participate in several social media platforms including Facebook, Pinterest and twitter and I blog out my thoughts too so I am embracing technology.

We haven’t even begun to discuss Apps.  There are tons of apps that can help clients.  I’ve used some that help with cognitive processing therapy, that track anxiety/moods and even ones that help with motivational thoughts.  Go into the App store on your tablet or smart phone and search for mental health apps. You might be surprised at the wealth of useful tools.

Fortuitously,  Jay Taylor offered to share this infogram regarding social work and technology.  It is an excellent snapshot of social work and technology!

Technology is Revolutionizing Social Work

1. Networking is not about being selfish. The word “network” may initially sound like a synonym for selfishness, but don’t view it like that. Rather, consider it relationship building. If you’re afraid of being pushy or self-serving, then just don’t be pushy or self-serving. Social work in particular is built around community, relationships, and empathy, which is how you should approach networking as well. As written on Forbes, “true networking occurs when there’s an understanding that everyone in the room has equal value.”
2. Don’t be someone you’re not. Ok, so perhaps you’re still feeling iffy with the idea of networking. The good news: you don’t have to be a schmoozer to be good at it. While the field of social work is naturally a social position, that doesn’t mean introverts need to fear being left behind. Essentially, it’s better to be shy and genuine, than outgoing and insincere. Consider your personality and if you would network better as a farmer or a hunter.
3. Know your strengths.  You should have a good idea of how to promote your strengths, but also not let your weaknesses limit you. If you’re closer towards the end of your college career, you probably know what concentration of social work you’ll be going into. If you’re just starting out though, keep your options open. Fortunately, the field of social work in general is growing, with the highest rate of job prospects being in health care, mental health and substance abuse. While you should explore the field that works best for you, these are good statistics to keep in mind.
4. Start online. Social media is key. Stay connected with your school’s alumni network, whether its Facebook or LinkedIn, or however else you prefer. Learn what other actual networks and organizations you can be a part of. Consider joining the National Association of Social Workers or the American Counseling Association as a way to show your commitment to the field.
5. Attend conferences. This is probably the most “duh” item on here, but it is important! Nothing beats facetime with other professionals in the field. Prepare ahead of time knowing how to introduce and present yourself. Consider how to stand out from everyone else in the field. It’s a competitive environment, and while you might not feel comfortable being a shark, consider the aspects of your personality that do make you stand out.
6. Volunteer. Another easy way to get that facetime in, to meet people, and to get some personal experience on that resume. A lot of your networking might begin online, but the best way to gain more substantial as opposed to fleeting contacts is to create a physical presence. Let people know you’re not just a robot that posts on Facebook all day. The best networkers will combine the best of old-school methods with new technology.
7. Diversify. This may seem contradictory to point #3 but it’s not a bad idea to know people in other related social work fields. This can include professors and other students you’ve developed a relationship with; you never know what connections exist between multiple networks and how that could help you in the long run.
8. Constant contact.Once you get one foot in the door, don’t risk letting it slam you in the face. Ivan Misner, a networking expert, suggests the multiple ways you can keep yourself in touch with your new contacts. “Sending a thank-you note, making a phone call, arranging a meeting, sending an article of interest to someone, displaying someone else’s goods in your store, putting someone else’s link up on your Facebook… all of these count as networking, and you should be doing these as often as you can.”
9. Don’t fear rejection. Even if you feel like you’ve done everything in your power, it just doesn’t work out sometimes. Instead of getting down on it though, view the opportunity as a learning experience. Maybe you can do something different in your next encounter. Either way, it wasn’t meant to be, and if it didn’t work out, it’s probably for the best.
10. Avoid parasites: Remember, just because you are taking the sincere approach, doesn’t mean that everyone is. Networking is a two way street: don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of.

Lastly, never ever ever EVER flat out ask for a job. Networking is a process and you shouldn’t expect immediate results. When discouraged, never get desperate. Tomorrow is a new day, and you never know what opportunities are waiting for you around the corner.

Journals

1. Child & Family Social Work: With a focus on children and families, this journal provides social workers with current issues and archives of the most recent issues. They also offer an online availability for “call for papers.”
2. Clinical Social Work Journal: This journal publishes leading, peer-reviewed original articles relevant to contemporary clinical practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups. It also presents innovations in theoretical, practice, evidence-based clinical research, and interdisciplinary approaches. You can find downloads of articles online, as well as the opportunity to submit work.
3. International Social Work: This is a scholarly peer reviewed journal designed to extend knowledge and promote communication in the fields of social development, social welfare, and human services. You can find the current issue and forthcoming articles published ahead of print at this site.
4. Journal of Social Work: This is an international peer reviewed forum for the publication, dissemination and debate of key ideas and research in social work. You can find online articles here that promote, debate and analyze current themes and issues in social work theory, research, policy and practice, sometimes before they’re published in print.
5. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics: This journal examines the ethical and values issues that impact and are interwoven with social work practice, research, and theory development. The current edition is available online, as well as an archive, and a way to submit manuscripts.
6. Qualitative Social Work: This journal provides a forum for those interested in qualitative research and evaluation and in qualitative approaches to practice. Look for the current issue online, as well as forthcoming articles published ahead of print.
7. Social Work & Society: Social Work and Society (SW&S) is an international network of social scientists and political activists in the fields of social work and social policy. You can find current issues and archives available at their site. They have an “open access” policy.
8. Social Work Today: This journal tackles topics such as addictions, mental health, children and family, aging, healthcare, and professional practice. They hold current issues and article archives online as well as a “Digital Edition” section.
9. The British Journal of Social Work: Published for the British Association of Social Workers, this is the leading academic social work journal in the UK. It covers every aspect of social work, with papers reporting research, discussing practice, and examining principles and theories. This journal offers online access to the current issue as well as archives.
10. The New Social Worker: This online magazine has been in operation for almost two decades. They carry job listings, a forum, and articles that keep social workers updated with their careers.

Forums

Beyond this list, take look at university and college websites for social work or social worker forums. Many higher-education institutions that maintain social work programs also provide forums for students to talk about social work issues across the spectrum. You often need to be a student in a given program to gain access to those resources.

1. Socialworkhelper.com: This is a professional online magazine  where users can engage listen to podcasts, share information, comment on news stories, view archived twitter chats, and much more.
2. CareSpace Social Work Forums: Learn more about the social work profession, children’s and adult services, the practice, careers, and residential care, among other topics at this forum.
3. Council on Social Work Education Discussion Forums: This is an electronic mailing list community that requires registration to join in the conversations. You also can join as a Council on Social Work member.
4. Social Worker Jobs Forum: This job site provides a way to communicate about social work jobs from around the country and the world. Topics include PhD degrees, new graduate stress, career change, and other issues.
5. The GradCafe Social Work Forum: You must register before you can comment, but feel free to browse topics such as information about various college programs, college woes, and field placement interviews, and more.

Social Media

As forums are becoming more and more a thing of the past, most people are connecting and interacting with social media now. While there are many outlets you can follow on Facebook and Twitter, here are a few key sites that can be a stepping stone toward developing your online identity. As always, be aware of what you post publicly online and consider the ethical implications of what you post.

1. LinkedIn Networking and Discussion Forum for Social Workers: Connect with other social workers in this professional social media format. You can also promote your business and skills by posting articles, questions, and answers. You must be a LinkedIn member to participate.
2. This Twitter list of social workers: Twitter is great tool for real-time interaction, even if on a microlevel. This list of over 300 social workers and institutions is filled with a variety of people you can add to your following list.
3. Twitter chats: Another way to talk in real-time about specific issues at a predetermined time. Social Worker Helper does a great job of organizing these chats, and archiving them as well.
4. Reddit: Essentially the modern online forum, the social worker subreddit goes more in depth than twitter’s character limit allows. Many questions you probably have about MSW programs and social work in general will be asked and hopefully answered here.
5. The National Association of Social Workers Facebook: It’s always a good idea to stay up-to-date with the NASW. They post frequently on Facebook, as well as longer posts and an archive on their blog.
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