Have you wanted to be able to have a conversation about race but not really known how? Or have you wanted to help your clients feel comfortable in talking to you about race? While many of us recognize that racism is a big problem in the United States, we tend to be uncomfortable discussing race. This is because […]
Play Therapy: Healing Through Play
Comprehensive play therapy interview with Jennifer Taylor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) specializing in individual, group, and family therapy with children. Learn what play therapy is—a developmentally sensitive mental health counseling approach that allows children to use a specially designed playroom to facilitate expression of emotions and feelings. Discover how play therapy helps children who are not yet ready for traditional talk therapy designed for adults. Jennifer explains child-centered play therapy where children choose what they’d like to do and the therapist follows the child’s lead, with the relationship valued over specific techniques. Includes real examples of how play helps children process trauma like witnessing violence, an Inside Out Feelings Activity video and infographic for ages 5-8, assessment tools (ASQ-3, MCHAT, CATS, PHQ-9), recommended play therapy room equipment (expressive, aggressive, real-life toys, sandbox), essential books (The Art of the Relationship by Gary Landreth, The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce Perry), and 9 practical tips for mental health professionals interested in becoming play therapists including joining the Association for Play Therapy, getting quality training and supervision, and trusting the process.
7 Career Tips for Macro Social Workers
Career Advice Every Macro Social Worker Needs to Know Editor’s Note: This interview with Laurel Hitchcock, PhD was originally published in June 2015 and remains one of the most comprehensive resources on macro social work careers on this site. The core interview content and career guidance are as relevant today as when Laurel first shared […]
Feeling, Writing, Empowering: Book Review and Author Interview
How Therapeutic Journaling Can Empower You/Your Client Have you wanted to use journaling as a therapeutic method with clients? Or have you wanted to try to engage in writing as a method of self-care or self-expression? If yes, you are likely to find Dima Dupéré’s book: Feeling, Writing, Empowering [Integrating Therapeutic Writing into Practice with Groups and Individuals], most helpful. Amy […]
How Every Social Worker Can Succeed in Private Practice
Private practice success strategies from Lynn Grodzki, LCSW, MCC, based on her talk “Navigating the New Psychotherapy Marketplace” at the 2014 Psychotherapy Networker Symposium. Learn how to succeed in today’s competitive mental health marketplace where therapists face lower insurance reimbursements (mental health outlays reduced from 15% to 1% since 2000), fewer sessions per client, preference for medication over talk therapy despite evidence showing talk therapy equals or supersedes medication long-term, and utilitarian perceptions of therapy. Grodzki recommends adapting business strategies that work with educated consumer shoppers. Key areas covered: Marketing is critical (unique selling proposition, benefits vs features, preparation for negotiation), communicate persuasively (prepare for first contact without disadvantaging yourself, structure 15-30 minute consultations to give prospective clients experience of boundaries and your therapeutic style), and adapt working style (review results every session tracking goals and progress, set expectations using metaphors, partner with clients session-by-session). Includes detailed infographic summarizing main takeaways and guidance on fee negotiation, handling objections like “I need someone who takes my insurance,” and creating successful first contacts.
