The Social Work Podcast

Episode 17: Today's podcast is the first of four looking at the DSM diagnosis of pathological gambling. In today's podcast, Jody Bechtold looks at what it is, what it is not, and what are the similarities and differences between pathological gambling and substance use disorders.

Episode 16: In today's podcast, I talk with Dr. Edward Sites about women in social work. Dr. Sites gives us a historical perspective of the role of women who were born at or before 1900 in the development of social work as a profession in the United States.

Dive into the fascinating world of Reality Therapy, rooted in Dr. William Glasser's choice theory. Discover the five basic human needs that drive us all. Learn about the WDEP system, a tool designed to help individuals recognize their choices and take charge of their relationships. Gain insights into how personal responsibility plays a crucial role in fostering better connections. This exploration of therapeutic foundations promises to engage and enlighten.

Episode 14: In today's podcast, we're going to talk about the therapies that take a cognitive-behavioral approach to working with people. I review the theoretical assumptions, therapeutic process, techniques, use in culturally competent practice, and strengths and limitations of CBT. This podcast is longer than most because I use a lot of clinical examples and dialogue to illustrate the concepts.

Kya Conner, a doctoral candidate and licensed social worker at the University of Pittsburgh, delves into the complexities of stigma in mental health and aging. She explains the components of stigma, how it varies across cultures, and the compounding effects experienced by marginalized groups. Kya highlights the impact of visible conditions and uncontrollable circumstances on stigma and discusses the importance of social workers addressing these barriers. She also shares insights from her research on race, age, and internalized stigma, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Delve into the fascinating world of behavior therapy, examining how stimulus and response shape behavior change. Discover the impact of rewards and punishments, alongside classical conditioning and cognitive behavior therapy. Learn about the vital role of therapists and the nuances of multicultural treatment approaches. Explore effective techniques like systematic desensitization and EMDR for anxiety, along with essential concepts such as self-efficacy and the ABC model, all while relating these theories to real-life situations.

Episode 11: In this podcast I cover the basics of problem definition, developing goals and measureable objectives as well as identifying interventions and strategies. The key to good treatment planning is making sure that there is a clear and logical relationship between your assessment, problem formulation, goals, objectives and interventions.

Episode 10: IPT is a time-limited psychotherapy that was developed in the 1970s and 80s as an outpatient treatment for adults who were diagnosed with moderate or severe non-psychotic, unipolar depression. Over the last 30 years, a number of empirical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of IPT in the treatment of depression. Although originally developed as an individual therapy for adults, IPT has been modified for use with adolescents and older adults, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, bulimia, anxiety disorders and couples counseling. IPT has its roots in psychodynamic theory, but differs from the latter in that it focuses on improving interpersonal functioning in the present. It is similar to CBT in its time-limited approach, structured interviews and assessment tools, but also differs from CBT in that it focuses on the client's affect, rather than cognitions, and the development of a more supportive social network. And whereas nearly all CBTs use homework as a standard part of treatment, although Brief ITP (ITP-B) uses homework, regular IPT may not. In today's lecture I will will focus on some of the key concepts of IPT, the role of the therapist and client, the structure and goals of IPT - specifically focusing on grief, interpersonal role dispute, role transition and interpersonal deficits, and some of the techniques used in IPT. I'll end with a brief discussion of the applications of IPT, its strengths and limitations.

Dive into the fascinating world of Gestalt therapy, where the magic happens in the present moment. Discover how this experiential approach prioritizes 'here and now' over cognitive analysis. Learn about innovative techniques like the empty chair method that facilitate profound client-therapist connections. Explore the therapy’s adaptability across cultures and its unique contributions to personal growth. This journey highlights how fleeting moments of contact can spark self-actualization and meaningful change.

Delve into the revolutionary ideas of Carl Rogers and how his approach reshaped psychotherapy. Learn about the core principles of Person-Centered Therapy, emphasizing empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. Discover the unique role of the therapist and the powerful technique of reflective listening. The discussion highlights both the impactful contributions and the limitations of this humanistic model, contrasting it with traditional Freudian views. A fascinating exploration of what truly drives change in therapy!