clinical social work association

We, clinical social workers, belong to a tribe of sorts.  And like all members of a tribe, we want to belong. What price do we pay and is that price what is necessary.  Read on for an enlightened commentary on our profession.

https://www.simplepractice.com/blog/avoiding-martyrdom-trap-psychotherapist/

This small commentary on therapy that employs a form of ‘magick’, provokes some interesting questions about the role of the clinical social worker.  We know the power of the relationship, but is there even more?

https://psychotherapynetworker.org/blog/details/1173/how-psychotherapy-lost-its-magick?

Two emotions are responsible for all our actions: love and fear.  If we are in a state of negative for a long period of time, our decisions come from the area of fear increasing our cortisol levels and heightening our availability to stress.  Read on for information to move towards love.

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/emotional-wellness-can-help-handle-chronic-stress/?utm

How many times in your practice of couples therapy have you heard, “he’s changed, he’s not the man I married”.  Well, no surprise!  Why do we operate under the illusion that the person we committed to would remain the same?  Change can be liberating and it can be frightening.  We all love the sure thing but is that possible in a long term relationship?  Read on and then take in the TedTalk on the subject of change.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/21/style/modern-love-to-stay-married-embrace-change.html

Studies on neuroplasticity are in the forefront now as we move from the perspective of the brain as static to the brain as plastic.  Neurosurgeon Doty is affirming the ability of conscious thought to modify the brain’s function.  Read this interview for some surprising information.

http://www.onbeing.org/programs/james-doty-the-magic-shop-of-the-brain/

Have we moved too solidly to the concept of individual needs and forgotten the greater good?  How do we advise couples in the journey from married to divorced?  Take a look at William Doherty’s considerations.

https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/blog/details/630/why-we-shouldnt-be-neutral-about-divorce?

An interesting piece of research coming from Wharton business school highlights the incidence of lying when someone is angry, even if the anger is from a completely unrelated source to the deception.  Read on for an explanation of how we lose empathy and shift our moral compass.

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/anger-and-deception/

Philosopher Alain de Botton gives us food for thought in looking at love after the falling….no more When Harry Met Sally, instead a realistic look at what the work represents.

http://onbeing.org/programs/alain-de-botton-the-true-hard-work-of-love-and-relationships/

Hormonal changes have been charged with bringing forth difficulties in adolescence but research indicates changes in the neurological structure of the brain and resultant neurotransmitter function are really to blame.

Take a look at this research and utilize it when advising parents regarding their necessary role.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724162/

Many organizations are taking on the task of dealing with burnout in their professional ranks.  Being able to identify the coping orientation of the individual goes a long way to defining a strategy to overcome.  All too often the cure has nothing to do with the cause.  Read on.