Dear Reader,
    Welcome to 2010! I would like to wish you a Happy New Year as The New Social Worker enters its 17th year!

    This issue is packed with a variety of topics. Barbara Trainin Blank continues her series on the arts and social work on page 12, with a piece on poetry and bibliotherapy. Written words have great power to reach clients on a deeper level. Along with this article, we have included a poem written by BSW student Dawn Lavoie of Richard Stockton College. See page 14 for her poetry.
    While some are using poetry in therapy, others find horseback riding to be a great way to reach clients. Children will tell a horse things they won’t tell a human. See page 8.
    Denice Liley, in the second of her series of field placement articles, asks, “Are You a Joy?” How do others perceive you in your practicum agency? Are you a joy to work with? Is your placement a joy to you?
    Are therapy group members bound by confidentiality? John Riolo and Wendy Murphy explore this interesting and important question.
     T.J. is moving along as her last semester as an MSW student begins. She  shares her perspective (see page 10) as she prepares to enter the social work profession. On the other end of the spectrum, social work retirees share their wisdom on page 16.
    Karen shares the latest tech trends from the recent Council on Social Work Education conference. See page 28.
    Rounding out this issue are articles on case and cause advocacy, lessons learned from conducting research, and an inspiring account of a new MSW’s efforts in starting a camp for transgender youth.
    See page 18 for news from Linda’s New Social Worker Book Club! We are reading the novel PUSH by Sapphire. Join us for a chat about this book on January 31 at http://www.socialworkchat.org.
    Don’t forget, if you are looking for a social work job, or looking to hire a social worker, check out our online job board at http://www.socialworkjobbank.com.
    Until next time—happy reading!

Linda May Grobman, Publisher/Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Student Role Model:
Justine Naylon
In this issue, Barbara Trainin Blank provides a close-up look at Justine Naylon, an MSW student at the University of South Florida.
by Barbara Trainin Blank
page 3

Ethics: Can Members of a Therapy Group Be
Compelled to Testify Against Each Other?
Every social worker and other mental health professional understands the importance of confidentiality. But what about group therapy situations? Does each group member have the same legal constraints on revealing information as the therapists conducting the group?
by John A. Riolo and Wendy J. Murphy
page 4

Field Placement: Are You a Joy? Coming to or Going From Practicum    
Have you considered how the people at your practicum agency might describe their experience working with you? Is each practicum workweek a joy for you, as well as for those at your agency?
by Denice Goodrich Liley
page 6

Equine Therapy and Social Work: A Winning Combination
Therapeutic horseback riding is a great way to see remarkable changes in social work clients.
by Marian Swindell
page 8

An MSW Student’s Life
The home stretch. The final stage. The last semester. T.J. has four courses left before graduation!
by T. J. Rutherford
page 10

Poetry Therapy: Using Words to Heal
It has often been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. But when the words are poetic—full of imagery, metaphors, and rhythm—they’re much more powerful.
by Barbara Trainin Blank
page 12

The Difference Between Case and Cause Advocacy is “U” (You)
You are the difference between case and cause advocacy. You, as the change agent, can make a difference through social work practice that embraces case to cause advocacy as a circular paradigm for change.
by Donna McIntosh
page 15

Musings From Retired Social Workers: You Have a Lot to Look Forward To!
Retired social workers reflect and offer tips for a satisfying social work career.
by Beverly B. Lovett and Cindy King-Frode
page 16

Research: Lessons Learned From Conducting Research
An honors social work class conducted research on divorce. They share the lessons learned during this assignment.
by Gary L. Villereal and students
page 20

Preparing for the Future: A Career in Gerontological Social Work
It may surprise you that the elderly are you and I. The opportunities for gerontological social workers seem extensive.
by Karen Graziano
page 22

Camp Aranu’tiq
A recent MSW graduate starts a camp for transgender youth.
by Nick M. Teich
page 24

SW 2.0: Trending Topics: Technology at the CSWE Conference
Karen reports on tech topics from the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting (CSWE APM).
by Karen Zgoda
page 28

Using Ethnic Competence Principles: A Student’s Experience
A student builds rapport using ethnic competence principles.
by Thomas McDonough
page 31

Poetry    page 14
On Campus    page 26
Reviews    page 34
Classified Ads    page 36