Social Work Workshops
Boston College Continuing Education, in collaboration with the School of Social Work, offers a series of workshops three times a year - in Spring, Summer, and Fall - for new and experienced social workers looking to earn CEUs to maintain their license.
Social Work Summer Workshops
- Online participants are required to have a computer with video and audio capability.
- Participants must create a Zoom account in advance according to Boston College security requirements.
- All programs offered online via Zoom will be delivered live and will not be recorded unless stated otherwise.
- These programs have a maximum capacity to allow for participant engagement. Register early to avoid disappointment!
Registration
Week 1: June 24-28 - Online via Zoom
Registration deadline: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at midnight ET.
Please refer to workshop descriptions for dates and times.
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Workshop A: Mediation is Not Just for Lawyers!
Instructor: Ben Stich, LICSW, MEd, Mediator
Mediation is a powerful intervention that helps those in conflict find ways to communicate, solve problems, create win/win situations, and move forward in their lives. The majority of mediators are attorneys. Yet, our skills as social workers make us ideally suited to provide mediation services, both for legal and non-legal disputes. In this workshop, social workers will learn about mediation in context of alternative dispute resolution, the principles of mediation, mediation models, introduction to mediation and negotiation theory, and the wide applications of mediation for social workers. This workshop will provide an orientation to mediation with the hope that it will eventually lead to increased social worker representation in the mediation field.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to identify the five principles of facilitative mediation.
- Participants will be able to identify the three styles of mediation.
- Participants will learn the ways mediation can be applied in the social work field.
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
2-hour program: $50
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism*)
Workshop B: Higher Education 101: Foundations and Current Trends
Instructors: Caitlin Cichocki, MS, and Danielle Nielsen
College students can experience mental health issues, homelessness, food insecurity, interpersonal violence, and many other personal challenges that impact their academic success and overall college experience. These challenges are also shaped by the institution type (public vs. private), size, geographic location, and institution-specific policies and practices. Many practitioners in the community have not had the opportunity to receive formal training on these topics and often base their understanding of higher education on their own experience, which may be very different from their clients. This workshop aims to cover some of these foundational principles to equip community providers better as they support college students. The workshop will highlight the importance of an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory, and trauma-informed approach in Higher Education Student Affairs.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to describe how student identity, well-being, institution type, and policies/systems impact the student experience.
- Participants will be able to identify a client’s needs in higher education that may be different from the participant's personal experiences.
- Participants will be able to assist their clients with creating a plan to access university resources.
* 1 Hr. Anti-Discrimination and 1 Hr. Anti-Racism Focus
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Workshop C: Self-Care for Social Workers
Instructor: Elaine M. Gatewood, MSW, LCSW
This workshop on self-care for the social worker will examine the need for daily care of the clinician. The threat of burnout and the effects of secondary trauma are real. Self-care is an essential social work survival skill. Self-care refers to activities and practices that we can engage in regularly to reduce stress and maintain and enhance our short- and longer-term health and well-being. Self-care is necessary for your effectiveness and success in honoring your professional and personal commitment.
Learning Objectives:
- Define components of self-care and how to integrate activities of self-care into practice.
- Demonstrate self-care methods that participants can utilize during times of stress.
- Define burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and secondary trauma and how they affect our everyday life.
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
2-hour program: $50
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism*)
Workshop D: Empowering African American Trauma Survivors to Achieve Success
Instructor: Dwayne Buckingham, PhD, LCSW-C, BCD
In a world where trauma victims internalize their oppression and doubt themselves, it's crucial to empower them to recognize their strength, resilience, and potential within.
This powerful workshop on introspection and resilience is devoted to mental health professionals, counselors, and therapists working with African Americans who have experienced trauma. The journey of a trauma survivor often involves navigating a labyrinth of internalized pain and pervasive self-doubt. The goal of this workshop is to arm participants with the necessary tools, knowledge, and inspiration to empower trauma survivors to defy the odds by overcoming self-limiting beliefs and reshaping their narratives, ignite their greatness by looking within, and achieve success by breaking through barriers of self-doubt, societal stereotypes, and life challenges that impede their progress and success.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will describe how trauma and societal conditioning shape perception, behavior, and self-identity of African Americans.
- Participants will define self-limiting beliefs and explore how they contribute to a cycle of doubt and stagnation.
- Participants will list at least three strategies that African Americans can use to unleash their inner winner, ignite their greatness, and achieve success.
*2 Hrs. Anti-Discrimination and 1 Hr. Anti-Racism Focus
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
3-hour program: $75
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Workshop E: The Role of Anger Management Treatment in Relapse Prevention
Instructor: Joe Pereira, LICSW, CAS
Anger is an emotional state that can range from mild irritation to overwhelming rage and is a response that can be interpreted through a set of unrealistic expectations. Anger is also a significant factor that can impact a person’s ability to maintain abstinence and sobriety. This workshop will provide an overview of the relationship between substance use and anger. It will offer an approach to help individuals improve their awareness of anger and offer specific anger regulation techniques that a person can use when experiencing these feelings.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to assess the relationship between substance use and anger.
- Participants will be able to identify the four elements of monitoring one's anger.
- Participants will be able to identify at least two specific techniques to help clients regulate their anger.
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Workshop F: Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment of Early Psychosis in Adolescents and Young Adults
Instructor: Melissa Weise, PhD, LICSW
Historically, psychosis often leads to schizophrenia, which has some of the worst prognostic outcomes of major mental illness. Now, research in the field of psychosis has yielded tremendous new and important information in the last decades about ways to help those who experience psychosis to prevent or recover from their symptoms earlier and with a better prognosis over their lifetimes. This workshop will present an overview of the research, policy, programming, diagnosis, and treatments in this burgeoning and hopeful field. Participants will have an increased ability to detect and assess for early psychosis and clinical high risk for psychosis as well as treatment methods and referral sources.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will come away with knowledge about the history of psychosis as a diagnosis.
- Participants will gain knowledge about current developments of understanding in the field of psychosis.
- Participants will gain knowledge about the public policy and programming around early psychosis treatment.
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
3-hour program: $75
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination*)
Workshop G: Introduction to Gender Affirming Mental Health Care for Adults
Instructor: Luke "Tt" Patrick King, LICSW
In this workshop, participants will develop an understanding of the unique clinical needs and concerns of transgender adults. This includes a framework for understanding trans and non-binary gender identity development and specific strategies for anti-oppressive clinical practice with trans and gender-diverse adults. Participants will consider the role of their own gender identity and presentation in the clinical room and will be challenged to go beyond baseline gender acceptance to engage in meaningful and transgender-knowledgeable care. This workshop will include a lecture portion on specific clinical considerations and developmental frameworks, and will then include breakout rooms to discuss case studies and large group discussions.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will develop an understanding of the unique clinical needs and concerns of transgender adults.
- Participants will develop an understanding of the development of transgender adult identity.
- Participants will develop an understanding of the strategies for effective anti-oppressive clinical practice with transgender adults.
*3 Hrs. Anti-Discrimination Focus
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
3-hour program: $75
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Workshop H: Trauma Responsive Supervision
Instructor: Susan Coleman, LICSW
Studies show that people working in human services report Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) at almost double the rate of the general population. Those lived experiences may impact the abilities and well-being of our staff. As supervisors, we must attend to these experiences in a trauma-responsive way.
This workshop will present an overview of trauma-informed care as a concept on individual and systemic levels. We will use a trauma-responsive lens to explore the dynamics of the supervisory relationship. We will discuss performance concerns that arise and how to best support staff as they learn about themselves and the work. We will also explore self-care strategies to allow us to sustain ourselves and our team in this important work.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as well as the community and societal structures, such as racism, discrimination, and harassment, that cause harm to individuals in the form of trauma.
- Participants will apply SAMSHA’s principles of trauma-informed and trauma-responsive techniques to supervision to improve the professional development of their staff.
- Participants will learn to recognize how trauma shows itself in the performance of staff and learn techniques to restructure workplaces to improve staff development and experiences.
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
3-hour program: $75
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination*)
Workshop I: Integrative Tools for Trauma Treatment / Herramientas Integrativas para el Tratamiento del Trauma - In Spanish
Instructor: Paola Bustani, Licensed Psychologist and Psychotherapist
Through this workshop, we will revisit some fundamental concepts for individual trauma treatment and integrate them into a simple model that you can add to your clinical work. The theoretical approach will be from models such as attachment theory, polyvagal theory, somatic therapy, mindfulness, and IFS. Throughout the workshop we will be learning through individual experiential exercises.
A través de este taller, revisaremos algunos conceptos fundamentales para el tratamiento individual de trauma y los integraremos a un sencillo modelo que puedan sumar a su trabajo clínico. La aproximación teórica será desde modelos como la teoría del apego, teoría polivagal, terapia somática, mindfulness y IFS. A lo largo del taller estaremos aprendiendo a través de ejercicios experienciales individuales.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn theoretical concepts about different models used to intervene with people that have experienced trauma.
- Participants will acquire a model that integrates some therapeutic tools from these models that may orient them in their clinical interventions.
- Participants will experience a learning space based on trauma by taking into account the nervous system.
- Quienes participen aprenderán conceptos teóricos sobre diferentes modelos clínicos utilizados para intervenir a sobrevivientes de trauma.
- Quienes participen adquirirán un modelo que integra algunas herramientas terapéuticas de estos modelos para acompañar a una persona a procesar un evento traumático.
- Quienes participen experimentarán un espacio de aprendizaje basado en trauma y regulación del sistema nervioso.
*1 Hr. Anti-Discrimination Focus
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
3-hour program: $75
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Workshop J: Treating Perinatal Distress and Supporting the Motherhood Journey
Instructor: Danielle Kenney, LICSW, PMH-C
This workshop will educate and empower social workers in their support of pregnant and new mothers. There is a great amount of overlap between expected and common reactions to childbirth (the “baby blues'', identity changes, body image issues, relationship stress, financial pressure, sleep deprivation, feeling of overwhelm), and what is worthy of a diagnosis and treatment (anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, psychosis). This workshop will educate social workers on identifying, diagnosing, and treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS). Participants will learn the impact of external stressors on birthing people; such as those facing women of color, LGBTQ+ parents, and the ramifications of the pandemic on the mental health of new families.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn differential diagnoses between an expected emotional response to childbirth and postpartum anxiety or depression.
- Participants will learn the changes throughout history, as well as cultural differences, in caring for new mothers and birthing people.
- Participants will identify risk and protective factors in PMADS.
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Workshop K: Burnout Management for Social Workers
Instructor: Elise Tofias Phillips, MEd
Are you feeling overwhelmed with supporting your clients? Social workers sometimes experience burnout based on client challenges and the amount and pace of work. During this interactive session, we will explore what burnout means to social workers, and discuss the signs and symptoms of burnout. We will focus on strategies to set priorities, boundaries, self-care, and mitigate stress. We will discover ways to intervene during the stress cycle, reframe the narrative you may be experiencing, and integrate personal time and joy into your daily life so that you feel refreshed and can engage with your clients with renewed energy. Participants will leave this session with resources and a personal plan that includes how to reframe thoughts, self-care, and coping strategies for support and change.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn the definition of burnout based on the challenges of social work.
- Participants will learn ways to manage or avoid burnout by integrating daily strategies with a focus on self-care, boundaries, priorities, and stress.
- Participants will discuss how burnout affects them personally, how to manage clients and make strength-based adjustments.
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
3-hour program: $75
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Workshop L: Embodiment: Beyond Talk Therapy
Instructor: Vanessa Benzan-Monteiro, LICSW
Join us for an experiential workshop on integrating self-awareness. Explore the symbiotic relationship between embodiment and talk therapy, deepening connections between mind, body, emotions, and behaviors. Learn to assess self-awareness and access self-energy, facilitating preventative work rather than relying solely on interventions. Through talk and movement, support clients in understanding their systems and addressing barriers. Gain insights into incorporating full embodiment into sessions, understanding trauma's influence on alignment, and acquiring tools to address misalignment. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your practice and empower your clients.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will identify the four components of alignment of trauma work and incorporate strategies to address misalignment.
- Participants will demonstrate how to use Internal Family System’s 8 Cs with the self-alignment model.
- Participants will be able to support clients in deepening their own self-awareness.
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
3-hour program: $75
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Workshop M: Focus on First Responders
Instructor: Christine Howley, LICSW, MSW
This workshop provides an overview of first responder mental health concerns including: anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. It defines the prevalence of stressors such as: peer suicide, divorce, addiction, and daily exposure to violence. We will review the role of first responder and the tendency for this role to overwhelm, and process the impact of racism and discrimination on first responders. Additionally, we will process the impact of racism and discrimination on first responders. We will discuss how to assist first responders in finding balance - making space for other critical life roles. The workshop concludes with essential skills to engage first responders in a therapeutic alliance, for healthier first responders leads to a safer, happier community.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn the scope of common mental health presenting problems within the first responder population.
- Participants will gain a deeper understanding of stressors particular to first responders.
- Participants will leave with essential skills to engage first responders in a therapeutic alliance.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (6 hours; 6 CEUs)
Workshop N: Integrating Solution-Focused Therapy Into Clinical Practice, Pt. 2 (Pt. 1 to be offered during the Summer 2024 Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults series of courses)
Instructor: Susan Lee Tohn, MSW, LICSW
Solution-focused work is ideal for these challenging times as the model meets the client's needs in fewer sessions than traditional models and applies to a culturally diverse clientele. Solution Focused Brief Therapy focuses on "change" not "problems" and applies to both the micro and macro levels of working with individuals, families, groups, and managed behavioral healthcare organizations. Solution Focused Therapy empowers people to create and realize their own solutions, and emphasizes strong rapport and active participation by both client and therapist. The workshop will build on the Part 1 course that covered theory and an initial Solution-focused session, and will provide participants with many hands-on techniques they will be able to incorporate immediately into their work. This Part 2 training will cover later sessions and how to create a unique intervention message that includes the client's homework.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will demonstrate the EARS technique.
- Participants will explain how to utilize scaling to terminate with clients.
- Participants will describe the three components of the solution-focused intervention message.
GENERAL REGISTRATION:
6-hour program: $150
Social Work Workshop Instructors
Discounted
Admission
2-hour program: $25
3-hour program: $40
6-hour program: $75
Current BCSSW students and recent
BCSSW graduates (2020-2024)
Free
Admission
BCSSW faculty and staff who need to maintain a license.
Current BCSSW field supervisors,
up to 12 CEUs in the Summer workshops only.
General Information:
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Social Work Workshops. All sales are final; we are not able to offer refunds. Registrations may not be transferred to another person or to another course, workshop, or program.
Online registration is required to participate in a workshop. General or Discounted Admission tuition for each workshop is to be paid by debit or credit card. Registrations will be processed upon receipt of payment. Payment is due in full in order to enroll.
These workshops are approved for CEUs for Social Workers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont. They meet the requirements for Continuing Education Hours established by the State Board of Social Worker Licensure in Maine. If your state is not listed, please check with your local state licensing board to ensure the workshop meets state requirements prior to registering.
The MA Board of Registration of Social Workers has adopted a policy that requires licensees to complete continuing education (“CE”) in anti-racism and anti-discrimination to meet CE obligations.
Licensees must complete the following CE each licensing cycle:
1. Two (2) CE hours in anti-racism with a focus on oppression, and
2. One (1) CE hour in anti-discrimination, addressing oppression because of ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and/or mental or physical ability.
Boston College Continuing Education is required to ensure attendance to award CEUs. Participants must attend the complete program(s) they register for to receive CEUs; we are not able to award partial CEUs. Those who arrive late, leave early, or do not attend the entire program will be unable to receive CEUs.
Getting to Campus
Parking is available at the nearby Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue Garages. Discounted parking passes are available upon registration.
Boston College is also accessible via public transportation (MBTA B Line - Boston College).