101117: Social Work Today May/June 2007

About the Course:

Couples Helping Couples—A Natural Progression Group sessions with couples complement benefits gained from sessions with a therapist.

Double Trouble—Helping Clients With Co-occurring Disorders A growing problem requires the right training to better serve clients.

GLBT Student Safety—Five Years of Advocating for Gay/Straight Alliances The pros and cons of forming gay/straight alliances in schools.

Motivational Interviewing With Substance Abusers—The Power of Ambivalence A versatile interviewing tool helps transform resistance into motivation.

Teaching the Rules of “Normal” Eating Healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight affects emotional health and vice versa.

Writing Wrongs—Putting Pain on Paper Expressing stress through writing can help heal individuals who are hurting, including soldiers returning from war.

Publication Date:

May/June 2007

Authors

Maya Kollman; John K. Smith; David Surface; Lynn K. Jones; Karen R. Koenig; Bill Asenjo

About the Authors:

Maya Kollman, MA, is a certified master trainer of Imago relationship therapy.

John K. Smith, PhD, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist with more than 25 years of experience in the mental health and chemical dependency fields and is program administrator for the Dual Diagnosis Day Treatment Program at Doctor’s Hospital of West Covina, CA. He is also a professor of alcohol and drug counseling at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, and is the author of the recently published book Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders: A Practitioner’s Guide.

David Surface is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. He is a frequent contributor to Social Work Today.

Lynn K. Jones, DSW, is a freelance writer and an executive coach and organizational consultant in Santa Barbara, CA. As a specialist in organizational culture, she supports leaders and organizations in developing mission-driven cultures.

Karen R. Koenig, LCSW, MEd, is a cognitive-behavioral therapist and educator in Sarasota, FL. She has more than 25 years experience treating compulsive/emotional and restrictive eaters and is the author of several books including The Rules of “Normal” Eating—A Commonsense Approach for Dieters, Overeaters, Undereaters, and Everyone In Between!

Bill Asenjo, PhD, CRC, is a board certified rehabilitation counselor and a consultant. He began writing during his recovery from multiple brain tumor surgeries. He conducts writing workshops and presentations for a variety of audiences.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for healthcare professionals, especially social workers, as well as psychologists, counselors, and nurses who seek knowledge about guiding and creating balance with clients. It is appropriate for participants with introductory to intermediate levels of knowledge on the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. Describe how group work with couples is an effective tool following individual Imago relationship therapy in individual sessions.

2. Explain the techniques used to help clients recognize that diets don’t work and establish “normal” eating habits.

3. Recognize the need for appropriate training of clinicians in diagnosing and referring individuals with co-occuring disorders.

4. Discuss the benefits of therapeutic writing.

5. Describe obstacles facing gay/straight alliances in school environments and how they can be addressed.

6. Explain motivational interviewing and why it is so effective with substances abusers.