The Social Work Podcast

Episode 13: Today we're going to be talking with Kya Conner about stigma. Kya is a doctoral candidate at the University of Pittsburgh School of social work and a masters student in the school of public health. She is a Hartford doctoral fellow and a CSWE minority research fellow. Kya is also a licensed social worker who maintains a part-time private practice. Her doctoral dissertation is called, Mental Health Treatment Seeking among older adults with depression: The impact of stigma and race. In today's interview, Kya defines stigma and discusses implications for research, direct practice and public health.

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!

Dive into the intriguing world of existential therapy, where philosophy meets psychology. Discover how self-awareness, freedom of choice, and personal responsibility shape the therapeutic experience. Explore the idea that the inevitability of death can bring profound meaning to life. Contrast this approach with traditional Freudian psychoanalysis, highlighting the unique role it plays in social work. Join the conversation on the importance of choice and its impact on our journey toward understanding ourselves.

Delve into the fascinating world of Adlerian psychotherapy, where the focus shifts from drives to goals. Discover how Alfred Adler's theories emphasize social interest and the impact of birth order on personality. The conversation contrasts these ideas with Freud's views, offering insights into individual complexities and social equality. Explore both the strengths and limitations of Adler's approach in understanding human behavior.

Episode 5: In this lecture, I discuss key elements of Freud's theory of personality and how that translated into his approach to therapy. The central goal of Freudian psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious conscious.

Episode 4: This is part two of a two-part series on Crisis Intervention. In this lecture, I discuss individual crisis intervention within the context of Roberts's Seven-Stage Model of Crisis Intervention, and the most popular group crisis intervention model currently in use, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. The podcast ends with a detailed review of suicide assessment.