2016-2017 | drmarilynpalasky

Events in 2016-2017

A Series of Six Presentations on Ethical Thinking for Social Workers

--in two hour powerpoint format with handouts—

written and presented by Marilyn H. Palasky, PhD. LCSW

1. Ethical Thinking and Impulsive Behaviors—Presented March 26, 2016

2. Ethical Thinking and Empathy—Presented April 6, 2016

3. Ethical Thinking and Emotional Induction

Dates for next presentations are open at this time

4. Ethical Thinking and Verbal Enactments

5. Ethical Thinking and Suicidal Ideation

6. Ethical Thinking and Cooperative Learning

#3 “Verbal Enactments” has been written, and can be presented with a week’s notice. There is verbiage we say to ourselves and to others that is so primitive it causes visceral reactions. “Stop” can cause someone to “Run.” “Listen” can cause someone to start talking. Talking “at” someone instead worker’s hope to achieve by using the principles of the “talking cure” is progressive communications which support an individual’s positive actions.

#4- “Cooperative Learning is a model form an ‘early childhood education project’ I was involved in the 1980’s and is evidence based to facilitate learning throughout the lifespan. Instead of ‘expert and learner, ranking and grading’ – are taken away—and students and teacher, both become learners with each other. In social work terms, this ethical thinking has to do with ‘mutuality’ in relationship. Cooperative Learning is much more effective for personal development than Competitive Learning [where there is a shame based: winner/loser, one up/one down].

#5- “Emotional Induction” is generally thought of as a marketing tool to convince a consumer to buy a product. In mental health both client and social worker can be provoked or incited to have certain feelings, and it is well to become aware of ‘who is inducing what.’ One way to monitor ‘induced’ feelings is to become more self-aware in our practice by asking our self, first, and our client, eventually: “Who says,” or “Where is this feeling coming from” or “What’s really going on here?” If I have thoughts and don’t mesh with my feelings; or, if I hear the word “should;” this is evidence based— “induction.” Ethical thinking is the antidote for induction!

Actually, I had the idea to do the last one:

#6- “Suicidal Ideation” from something a PhD who works at the VA said in our last symposia, about the difficulty of working with returning veterans—a population with whom I have worked since my early days in Social Work Grad School as an Intern—1992. I have found that training to ‘compartmentalize’ in military service can become a deadly byproduct when service is completed. Social Workers need special training to help “de-compart-mentalize” the states that have been traumatized in a human being. An approach that “thaws” the frozen state of trauma will be introduced. Assembly Bill 93 (AB93)—from our state legislature will be covered in its entirety.