NASW Social Work Talks

We speak with Carla Monteiro about how the coronavirus pandemic is changing how social workers approach treatment for substance use disorder. Carla is a member of NASW's Massachusetts chapter, and is president of the Cape Verdean Social Workers Association. Visit the show notes for resources and a transcript.

NASW CEO Angelo McClain, PhD, LICSW, speaks about how NASW national and chapter staff are mobilized and increasing our efforts in the face of the American pandemic of racism. See the show notes for resources.

We speak with Martha Rodriguez, LCSW, service manager of recovery at Broward County Public Schools in Florida. Ms. Rodriguez also works at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., which was the site of a mass school shooting in 2018.

Pat Spencer, LCSW, talks about implementing teletherapy in her social work practice during New Jersey's stay-at-home order. See the show notes for related resources, and if you like this episode, please leave us a review!

In early March, we spoke with NASW-Texas chapter Executive Director Will Francis, LMSW, and Government Relations Director, Alison Mohr Boleware, LMSW, about what the immigration crisis looks like in their state. Then the coronavirus health crisis hit North America, so we spoke with them again in April to see how things changed. See the show notes for related resources and a transcript.

Rosanelly Garcia is a trauma social worker in the emergency room at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. She speaks with us about what it's like right now, working in the ER during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the show notes for related resources.

Lindsay Brine is a former educator and current social work student at New York University. She speaks about supporting older New York City residents through social distancing and the coronavirus pandemic. Note: This interview was recorded March 20, 2020. See the show notes for related resources.

We speak with NASW member Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW, about how social workers can practice self-care during the coronavirus pandemic. Lee is a professor of Behavioral Science at Northeastern University, and is the author of "Mentalligence" and "Reset." She has more than 20 years' experience as a clinician, educator, researcher and parent.

Karen Zilberstein, a psychotherapist and author, discusses the challenges facing parents raising children in poverty and with disabilities. She highlights how caregiving burdens often marginalize families and calls for systemic change in mental health support. Zilberstein critiques the lack of access to services and offers advice on how parents can navigate these gaps. She also shares insights from her book, "Parents Under Pressure," and the valuable work being done by A Home Within, providing therapy for foster youth.

NASW member Arthur Strock, Ph.D., is a founder of the International Association for the Study of Dreams and author of "Live By Your Dreams: Heartwarming Stories About Dreams and What They Tell Us." Dr. Strock holds advanced degrees in psychology and clinical social work. He talks with us about dreams and how they can be used to improve our lives.