Sunday, May 19, 2013

Best in Mental Health (week of 5/13/2013)

I'm watching twitter, google+ and the web so you don't have to...

This post is part of a weekly series, Best in Mental Health, featuring the best posts of the week, in social work, psychology, evidence-based practice/healthcare, non-profit and private practice concerns on Social Work Career Development.

Last, but not least, please check out this month's selection of free mental health webinars [it is continually being updated].

To get a quick idea of the topics covered in this week's round-up, please see the above word cloud :)

Evidence Based Practice/Healthcare:

AllTrials? The impending data deluge and why we need technological solutions
The Cochrane Collaboration
"Cochrane Reviews have always been electronic. It is now time for a new technological paradigm to emerge that enables the irreplaceable human element to realize this vision via machines that work harder, coupled with better processes and openness of clinical trial data..."
The FDA Patient Network Website – Patient-Centeredness that Walks the Walk
e-patients.net (David Harlow)
"Historically, the agency has been working with patients one-on-one, by phone and email, often when an extremely ill patient is seeking information on clinical trials or access to investigational products. The goal is to broaden the field of engagement..."

Social Work:

4 Ways to Stay Mindful of Social Justice Issues in Group Work Practice
N.A.H. (Relando Thompkins, MSW)
"we have an obligation to tune into issues of social justice or injustice... when they present themselves overtly or covertly in the group... Think of groups as smaller societies... Acknowledge social privileges..."
"A Friendly Face:" Addressing Barriers to Hospice Care for African American Clients by Hiring African American Social Workers
InSocialWork (UBSSW, Dr. Dona Reese)
"Dr. Dona Reese talks about the lack of utilization of hospice care by African American patients... One of those barriers is the almost complete absence of African American staff or volunteers in hospices across the nation..." 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

4 First Session Strategies Every Therapist Should Know

Robert Taibbi, LCSW
Why must social workers (and other mental health providers) make the most of their first session with each client?

This is because most people drop out of therapy after only one session! Furthermore, on average, people go for a total of 5 to 8 sessions. This suggests that we need to start doing something differently during our first meetings with prospective clients [as well as perhaps in subsequent ones].

To increase my chances of getting things right with clients from the beginning, I listened to Robert Taibbi, LCSW's informative talk on "Making First Sessions Count" from the 2013 Psychotherapy Networker Symposium.

Below is an infographic (my first!) summarizing some of the key take-aways from Robert's talk.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Best in Mental Health (wks 4/29-5/12/2013)

I'm watching twitter, google+ and the web so you don't have to...

This post is part of a weekly series, Best in Mental Health, featuring the best posts of the week, in social work, psychology, evidence-based practice/healthcare, non-profit and private practice concerns on Social Work Career Development.

Last, but not least, please check out this month's selection of free mental health webinars [it is continually being updated].

To get a quick idea of the topics covered in this week's round-up, please see the above word cloud :)

Evidence Based Practice/Healthcare:

The Health Care Law 101 - webinar
HHS.gov
May 23 at 2PM EST: "the main provisions in the Affordable Care Act (the health care law) and how to access care in your community. Info on the Health Insurance Marketplace and how to get updates on implementation of the law..."
Psychosocial and psychological interventions can prevent postpartum depression, says new Cochrane review
The Mental Elf (Mark Horowitz)
"the most effective types of intervention were intensive, individualised postpartum home visits, lay (peer)-based telephone support, and interpersonal psychotherapy... Individual and group-based interventions were found to have similar effectiveness..."

Social Work

Being mindful of power and wealth
Mindfulness for NGOs (Alessandra Pigni)
"In the nonprofit sector power and money are two big taboos... There’s one thing worse than bragging about one’s privileges, it is denying them. Denying your power or wealth, does not support any cause... "
Become a Pick Up Artist App isn’t Just Creepy: It’s Proof of a Rape Culture
Where Is Your Line (Jen)
"Become a Pick Up Artist perpetuates rape culture because rape culture is the idea that women are obtainable objects for a “prize,” and that their sexual agency isn’t important... Women are not people in this app..."

Thursday, May 9, 2013

The Zen of Online Marketing for Private Practice


Are you a social worker or other mental health provider who would like to create your own website? Are you also rather new to the world of social media?

If yes, you are likely to find the e-book Internet Marketing for Therapists Made Easy by Cathy Hanville, LCSW, very helpful.

This e-book covers the following topics:
  • Website design
  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Writing a blog
  • Social media basics (and reasons for using)
  • Social media ethics
  • Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
  • Internet marketing plan
  • Measuring success

Sunday, May 5, 2013

How to Practice Self-Care

Self-Care - You know that it is good for you but how do you get there, if you have no time,  energy or idea of where to begin?

Some of you may be familiar with my post on self-care for social workers and other mental health professionals but today's post is for everyone, regardless of what profession you are in.

When you do not engage in self-care on a regular basis, everything about it could feel like work!

It may feel easier to postpone taking care of yourself to the weekend, or to your vacation-time.
The problem with this approach is that you may end up feeling sick, rundown and exhausted by the time the weekend or your vacation finally rolls around…
This is because our bodies are telling us that we must take the time to provide ourselves with self-care every day… to feel healthier, happier and more energized throughout the week.
The question is how do you engage in self-care? And are there simple ways of doing so on a daily basis?

Lucille Zimmerman, MA, LPC, the author of Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World has written an inspiring book on this specific subject.