Publisher's Thoughts Dear Reader,
Spring is here, and fresh ideas are blooming here in the pages of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER!
The ethics article in this issue began as a discussion on our online message board/forum. What would you do if a client proposed something unethical? Tom Horn explores this with an example from his own practice on page 4.
Do you have a special friend at your field placement—someone who is always there...but not necessarily in a good way? Maybe you have an SAS. Read Denice Liley’s latest article on page 6.
Continuing with our arts therapies theme of the last several issues, Barbara Blank explores drama and cinema therapies on page 12. We also take a look at what one social work intern did with an art group (see page 8).
Communication is a huge part of social work. We often work with other professionals on interdisciplinary teams, and we need to be able to convey our special expertise and knowledge to them. Judith Bradley (page 16) and Lisa Bundrick (page 20) describe methods for speaking and writing to share our assessments and treatment plans to other professionals. On the student front, Karen has tips for communicating effectively with your professor via technology. See page 28.
New social workers sometimes enter the field with wide-eyed optimism. Lisa Baron’s tips for new social workers (page 18) serve to provide a dose of reality. Scott Anderson (page 23) discusses the true “return on investment” for social workers.
We look at older adults aging in place (page 24), and a social worker’s personal view of cancer diagnosis (page 33).
Finally, Melissa Groman speaks to social worker moms who want to start a private practice on page 30. Although some of what she says can apply to male parents, as well, she addresses mom-specific issues such as balancing pregnancies and mothering with having a social work business of your own.
Don’t forget, if you are looking for a social work job, or looking to hire a social worker, check out our job board at http://www.socialworkjobbank.com.
Until next time—happy reading! Linda Grobman, MSW, ACSW, LSW
Table of Contents Student Role Model:
Mark Williams
In this issue, Barbara Trainin Blank provides a close-up look at Mark Williams, who attended the Ohio State University MSW program after surviving a brain injury.
by Barbara Trainin Blank
page 3
Ethics: Maintaining Ethics in the Face of Temptation: A Probation Client’s Offer
What would you do if a client proposed something unethical? Would it make a difference if you knew no one would find out?
by Thomas Horn
page 4
Field Placement: Let It Be Me: The Self-Appointed Supervisor
You breathe a sigh of relief. At last, you have settled into your field placement. You feel as though you have the lay of the land. Yet, you feel as though a cloud is hanging over your practicum experience. That cloud is your SAS.
by Denice Goodrich Liley
page 6
Reflections Through Art
A social work intern’s art group helps older clients express themselves.
by Josh Garrett
page 8
An MSW Student’s Life
T.J. is graduating soon...with honors!
by T. J. Rutherford
page 10
Theater Processes Therapeutic in Drama Therapy
The ancient Greeks used drama for catharsis. Drama therapy and cinema therapy are explored in the final article in the series.
by Barbara Trainin Blank
page 12
Presenting a Patient or Client to the Medical Team
One skill a clinician must develop is that of communication. That sounds simple enough.
by Judith P. Bradley
page 16
Tips for New Social Workers
These ten tips help dispel myths and give new social workers a reality check.
by Lisa Baron
page 18
Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans
As social workers, we understand that student behavior affects learning, whether the results are positive or negative. Learn how to write a functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention plan for students who exhibit challenging behaviors in school.
by Lisa Bundrick
page 20
Return on Investment
The largest returns we get as social service professionals are not financial, but rather come in knowing that we have made the world a better place.
by Scott Anderson
page 23
Aging in Place and Urban Social Work: A Case Study of a NORC
The older population is growing. How do social workers meet the needs of this group, many of whom are “aging in place”?
by Man Wai Alice Lun
page 24
SW 2.0: How to Communicate Effectively With Your Professor
Should you contact your professor by e-mail, phone, stopping by during office hours, or some other way? It’s complicated!
by Karen Zgoda
page 28
Building a Practice While Raising a Family: Yes You Can! Creativity for Social Work Moms in Today’s Economy
Can you balance pregnancies, mothering, and a practice of your own? Melissa Groman says, “Yes, you can!”
by Melissa Groman
page 30
From Professional to Cancer Patient: A Social Worker’s View
An oncology social worker faces her own diagnosis.
by Sharon McLaughlin
page 33
On Campus page 26
Reviews page 34
Classified Ads page 36
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