Social Work Workshops

Workshop A: White Gatekeepers: Sustaining Systemic Racism and Oppression in 21st Century America
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUS - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Dwayne Buckingham, PhD, LCSW-C, BCD

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.

Workshop B: Mindfulness for Our Clients and  Ourselves
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Sage Watkins, NCC

This workshop will present an overview of mindfulness and how it can be used with clients in a counseling setting, as well as personally by the clinician for stress management to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. We'll touch on the brain science of why and how it works, common misconceptions, and tips for getting buy-in when sharing these techniques with clients. Even if you've had negative experiences with mindfulness or it "just didn't work" for you, you may find this session will change your approach and perception of the practice!

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to explain why and how mindfulness can help an individual cope with a variety of challenges and positively affect the brain.
2. Participants will be able to utilize mindfulness techniques with a lens of cultural humility.
3. Participants will be able to utilize mindfulness as a self-care technique to reduce stress and avoid professional burnout.

Workshop C: Integrating Neurobiological Approaches to Trauma Treatment
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: April Berry-Fletcher, LICSW, EdD

Social workers often find that 'talk therapy' with trauma survivors is not enough to provide much-needed safety and stability. Participants will learn to identify the neurobiological impacts of interpersonal trauma and translate these findings into a neurobiologically-informed treatment plan. Non-medication techniques and therapeutic modalities to promote self-regulation, including safe mind-body strategies, are provided from a neurobiological lens and will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will acquire knowledge of the neurobiological factors that differentiate interpersonal trauma from other traumatic experiences.
2. Participants will assess the neurobiological impacts of trauma to inform treatment plans and modalities.
3. Participants will learn and practice two neurobiologically-informed therapeutic modalities to support clients in achieving psycho-physiological regulation.

Workshop D: Supporting Clients to Divorce with Dignity (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Instructor: Ben Stich, LICSW, MEd

Divorce is one of the most stressful experiences someone will go through next to the loss of a loved one. The emotional impact and legal processes are complex and overwhelming. During this time of heightened stress, divorcing couples need to make life-changing decisions for themselves and their children. To help social workers support their clients, this workshop will provide an overview of the divorce process in Massachusetts. Participants will learn strategies to help their clients manage their divorce in a dignified manner, develop effective parenting plans to improve co-parenting dynamics, and offer guidance on how to talk with and support children through the divorce.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will understand the difference between a 1A and 1B divorce.
2. Participants will learn at least three strategies to help clients develop parenting plans that will serve the children's best interests.
3. Participants will learn how to guide clients through talking to their children about divorce.

Workshop E: Neuroscience of Imagination: Enhancing the Transformative Power of Social Work
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Ricardo Diego Suarez Rojas, MA, MSW

Are we always conscious when imagining new possibilities? And is imagination a faculty that leads to positive outcomes? This workshop will answer these questions and their relevance to social work by exploring the neuroscience of imagination. Recent breakthroughs have redefined imagination as an umbrella concept: voluntary (e.g., conscious future visualization), involuntary (e.g., nightmares), and hybrid capacities (e.g., problem-solving insights) for creating new possibilities. Participants will acquire tools for enhancing the brain potential of individuals and groups. Given how an imagination-informed practice can improve treatment modalities and policy, mezzo practice will be emphasized. Moreover, participants will discover the links between imagination, racism, and different prejudices. This exploration will equip social workers with a brain framework to understand and challenge discrimination.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will understand the main mechanisms of imagination and its role in perception and the creation of ideas.
2. Participants will develop an imagination-informed practice in clinical and macro settings to empower individuals and groups.
3. Participants will challenge racism and different types of prejudices with a basic understanding of the science of imagination.

Workshop F: Step by Step: Building a Strong Therapeutic Alliance Through Co-regulation
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Victoria Grinman, PhD, LICSW-R

Even highly skilled and informed professionals can feel burnout when there is an impasse in the therapeutic process with clients. This workshop introduces clinical staff to the best use of self to support clients in their goals and healing. It hones in on the process of co-regulation and the use of self in therapy to maximize the connection and healing. By understanding how you and your clients impact one another, you can connect more deeply, work through challenges, and be more proactive against burnout. You will obtain skills in mindset, and techniques for co-regulation, connection, and self-care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will define co-regulation between therapist and client and provide examples.
2. Participants will understand the role of attachment styles in co-regulation.
3. Participants will integrate specific co-regulation techniques to promote more effective interactions and therapeutic outcomes.

Workshop G: Revisioning Traditional Ethics: A Postmodern Anti-Oppressive Approach
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Cathleen Morey, PhD, LICSW

This workshop will offer an overview of foundational theories of ethics, followed by a critical analysis of conventional ethical frameworks. Participants will explore an outline of a postmodern, anti-oppressive approach to ethics that is inclusive, addresses power structures and inequities, and is responsive to diverse cultural contexts. Experiential learning methods will engage participants throughout the workshop, with interactive discussions fostering meaningful conversations around the application of ethical theories to practice. Break-out groups and role-playing exercises will foster small group interactions, deepening participants' critical thinking, understanding, and application of anti-oppressive ethics to real-world practice examples. This hands-on approach will ensure participants gain practical, actionable skills to integrate into their practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will explain how foundational theories of ethics are influenced by and perpetuate White supremacy.
2. Participants will identify three domains within the framework of intersectional ethics to consider in ethical decision-making.
3. Participants will describe two core principles of anti-oppressive ethical practice.

Workshop H: Be a Better Ally
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Alicia-Rahema Mooltrey, LICSW, MEd

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:

1. 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.
2. Participants will apply SAMSHA’s principles of trauma-informed and trauma-responsive techniques to supervision to improve the professional development of their staff.
3. 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.

Workshop I: Ecotherapy 101: Inviting Nature and Outdoor Movement Into Your Therapeutic Work
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Aliese Lash, MSW, LICSW

Looking for non-traditional ways to support your clients' healing? Curious about how to invite the healing benefits of nature into your therapy practice? This workshop introduces the fundamentals of Ecotherapy practice and shares practical ways to access the powerful holistic benefits of nature-based therapy for both clients and clinicians.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn nature-based skills and activities to incorporate into their therapy practice.
2. Participants will gain tips and resources for facilitating therapy outdoors.

Workshop J: Working Across Generational Differences
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Rebecca Jackson, MSW

We currently have at least three generations of workers in our organizations. This means that most of us need to figure out how to work effectively with people who are significantly older or younger than us. Unfortunately, this scenario can often lead to conflict as opposed to collaboration. However, there is a tremendous opportunity for our workplaces to benefit from this age diversity!

We’ll explore the differences across generations and how they impact our work style and work relationships. Participants will have the opportunity to practice managing some of the typical challenges that show up in cross-generational relationships, especially those related to power differentials. Participants will gain tools to help improve the quality of these relationships through personal reflection, vignettes, small group discussion, and more.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will explore the impact of generational differences in a work environment.
2. Participants will more deeply understand their own intersectional identity as it relates to age.
3. Participants will gain tools to help improve their relationships across generational differences.

Workshop K: Practical Stress Management​ Strategies to Improve Personal and Professional Mental Health
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Elise Tofias Phillips, MEd

Social Workers have a stressful role in supporting clients. Learn how to improve your mental health, mitigate stress, and integrate practical techniques from the latest research and thought leaders into daily life. This will support personal growth, self-control, and decision-making. Stress management techniques and practical tips include: understanding the stress response cycle, self-awareness, and defining the urgency of stressful events coming your way.  The group will have time for discussion, reflection, and the opportunity to practice these skills, gain experience, and develop a personal plan.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will understand the stress response cycle.
2. Participants will define the urgency of a stressful event.
3. Participants will learn practical stress management techniques and practical tips for daily integration.

Workshop L: Tragedy to Resilience: Addressing Gun Violence from a Social Work Perspective
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Dwayne Buckingham, PhD, LCSW-C, BCD

This comprehensive and dynamic workshop is designed for crisis response workers, social workers, and community leaders who are interested in learning how to develop effective responses to gun violence and mass shootings. Participants will join the presenter in taking a deep dive into the complex nature of mass violence, its impact on communities, and the critical role of delivering trauma-informed care, coordinating responses, and building resilience. Participants will leave the training with a deeper understanding of the impact of gun violence and mass shootings on individuals, families, communities, and the role of the social workers’ response.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define and clarify what constitutes mass shootings.
2. Examine historical and current data and trends to understand the scope of the issue.
3. Identify at least three strategies for building individual, family, and community resilience.

Workshop M: Somatic Approaches for Substance Use Disorders
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Julia Schechter, MSW, LICSW

Somatic approaches for substance use disorders will focus on training participants to utilize trauma-informed practices, harm reduction methods, and body-oriented work to treat adults with co-occurring trauma/PTSD and substance use disorders. Experiential components will include a guided trauma-sensitive yoga practice, breakout sessions to practice using somatic and mindfulness interventions, and vignettes for treatment planning. Time will be allotted at the end for a Q&A discussion.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn strategies for incorporating mindfulness and somatic interventions into trauma/substance use disorder treatment.
2. Participants will focus on the elements of choice, harm reduction, and empowerment.
3. Participants will learn to incorporate these strategies into treatment planning.

Workshop N: Parent Guidance for Addressing Emotional and Behavioral Problems
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Alexis Davis, LICSW

Working with families is so much more complex than working with individuals. This workshop will involve an in-depth discussion about how to assess family needs and dynamics to determine the best treatment plan. Participants will be introduced to multiple approaches to parent guidance work (such as Positive Discipline and Collaborative Problem Solving) and learn concrete tools to aid families in improving relationships and managing behavior.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn what additional considerations must be made when doing assessment and treatment planning for parent guidance cases (as opposed to individual and family cases).
2. Participants will receive an introduction to various approaches to parent guidance work.
3. Participants will receive concrete tools to share with families to manage behavior and family interactions.

Workshop O: The Misconception of the Angry Black Woman
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructors: Qur-an Webb LMSW, Shauna Figueroa, LCSW

The Misconception of the Angry Black Woman training is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the stereotypes and realities surrounding the Angry Black Woman narrative. This training series seeks to unpack the historical roots, societal impact, and contemporary implications of this harmful stereotype while fostering understanding, empathy, and allyship among participants.

This workshop will explore this stereotype through media, literature, popular culture, and its impact on the lived experiences of Black women. It will also teach how to develop strategies for challenging stereotypes, disrupting bias, and promoting positive representations of Black women in personal and professional spheres. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will explore the origins and perpetuation of the Angry Black Woman stereotype.
   
2. Participants will become allies and advocates for racial and gender equity.
   
3. Participants will also learn how to foster inclusive environments where all voices are valued and respected.