Happy New Year!
One of the best things about starting a new year is not only the possibilities for the future but the motivation and energy we have to start projects and bring new ideas into life. As a social worker – I love having new tools to use in my practice, new ideas to try and interesting readings related to the career I love.
I’m guessing most of us use social media, either personally or professionally, but I bet a lot of people overlook Pinterest as a place to gather idea to use in their everyday social work practice. I use Pinterest all the time when I am looking for an idea or intervention or I’m looking for inspiration. I find that perusing Pinterest makes me more excited about the work I do. It also gives me an easy place to save websites I may want to check out again or resources I may need at a later time. I have created many boards to organize all the pins I want to save!
I can’t vouch for everything on these boards but here are some favorite Pinterest Boards for Social Workers.
Social workers run the gamut on technology and social media. Some hate it and some love it. I love it! If you are reading this article – you are participating in it. My personal opinion is that technology is the way of the world and we can embrace and utilize it or be left behind.
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!!!)
