Social Work Seminars
Boston College Continuing Education, in collaboration with the School of Social Work, offers a series of intensive seminars on critical and leading-edge topics with current experts in the field of social work.
Target Audience: Intended for new and experienced social workers looking for comprehensive and up-to-date trainings on key issues in the field of social work.
Spring 2025
Social Work Seminars - Online
March 12 - May 16, 2024
(See dates and times below)
Registration deadline: Seminar registration will close at midnight two business days prior to each seminar.
- 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!
Seminar A: Depressed, Borderline, or Bipolar?
Online via Zoom • 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. lunch break) (6 hours; 6 CEUs)
Instructor: Brian Quinn, PhD, LCSW
Clinicians will learn a clinical diagnostic method to distinguish patients with borderline personality, major depressive disorder, and ADHD from those with bipolar illness. They will learn about why antidepressants are the wrong treatment for those with bipolar depression and about the medications that should form the foundation of treatment. Drawing on research from empirically tested therapies for bipolar disorder, Dr. Quinn will discuss the many ways psychotherapists can help patients and families struggling with bipolar disorder once patients receive proper pharmacologic treatment. Clinicians will learn to recognize bipolar patients at the greatest risk of completing suicide and how to intervene in ways to reduce this risk. Finally, participants will learn about non-drug treatments for depression, mania, and rapid cycling that they can put to immediate use.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to describe the four lines of clinical evidence that must be assessed to distinguish bipolar depression from major depressive disorder and borderline personality.
2. Participants will be able to describe the key elements of empirically tested psychotherapies for bipolar illness.
3. Participants will be able to describe the research showing why antidepressants are the wrong treatment for bipolar depression and what medications should form the foundation of treatment.
4. Participants will be able to identify and effectively manage patients at the highest risk of suicide.
5. Participants will be able to describe why atypical antipsychotics cannot be considered mood stabilizers that can take the place of drugs such as lithium.
Seminar B: White Gatekeepers: How Systemic Racism and Oppression are Sustained in 21st Century America
Online via Zoom • 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Racism, Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Dwayne Buckingham, PhD, LCSW-C, BCD, PCC
Racism and oppression still exist in 21st-century America. These social ills are allowed to flourish at the expense of disadvantaged populations whose only desire is to be given an equal opportunity to thrive. How do these unjust systems continue to prevail despite all the good work that has been done to dismantle them? The answer is simple: White gatekeepers.
In this soul-searching, empathic, and research-based workshop, participants will learn about: the infrastructure America and racism are sustained on, access to mental health and medical healthcare, control of wealth and prosperity-building resources, workplace hiring practices, acceptable appearance and behavior in America, and politics and law enforcement. Participants will learn about system theory and strategies that can be used to dismantle racist and oppressive systems.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to define the historical and current context of structural racism and oppression in America.
2. Participants will describe how white gatekeepers sustain racism and oppression.
3. Participants will identify at least five strategies that can be used to become an action-taking, anti-racist professional.
Seminar C: Eating Disorder Prevention: What to Say (or not) and Getting Your Clients the Proper Help
Online via Zoom • 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. lunch break); (4 hours; 4 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Jesse Carmen-Hay, LCSW
This seminar is for the clinician who wants to learn more about eating disorders and how to help a client with an eating disorder and/or refer them if necessary. Clinicians will discuss the various eating disorders, better understand what to look for in a client, and learn the value of collaboration across disciplines when it comes to eating disorders. We will review language on how to talk about food and bodies with clients. Eating disorders are a social justice issue and the seminar will cover the importance of the Health at Every Size movement (HAES) as well as the dangers of fatphobia. Clinicians will have the opportunity to ask questions as well as review case studies. This seminar will be informative, interactive, and eye-opening!
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be more knowledgeable about the neutral language to use regarding food and bodies.
2. Participants will learn about the concepts of HAES (Health at Every Size) and fatphobia and better understand the significance these concepts play in clients’ lives.
3. Participants will be better equipped to recognize an eating disorder in a client.
4. Participants will understand how an eating disorder interdisciplinary team works, and how to get more help for a client if they need a higher level of care.
Seminar D: White Savior Complex and Cultural Humility: Removing Access and Availability Barriers
Online via Zoom • 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Racism, Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Dwayne Buckingham, PhD, LCSW-C, BCD, PCC
This seminar aims to address the critical and sensitive issue of White Saviorism within the field of social work. It is crafted for social workers, students of social sciences, educators, and all professionals engaged in community work and humanitarian efforts. The seminar is designed to foster a deep understanding of the white savior complex, its implications on practice, and strategies for creating more equitable and respectful approaches to social work.
The presenter will address the pervasive issue of the white savior complex in mental health practices and its detrimental impact on therapeutic relationships and outcomes. Social workers will be equipped with the tools needed to dismantle this complex and promote culturally sensitive and empowering practices.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will define white saviorism and explore what constitutes the white savior complex and its historical context.
2. Participants will describe how white saviorism affects the dynamics of service delivery and client relationships.
3. Participants will identify strategies for social workers to develop self-awareness and ethical practice that avoids perpetuating the white savior complex.
3 Hours
Course Fee: $75
CEUs: 3
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)
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).
General Information:
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Social Work Seminars. 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 seminars 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).