The PSCSW Clinical Book Discussion Program Presents Reading and Group Participation As A Resource For Self-Care and Burn-Out Prevention 

The PSCSW Clinical Book Discussion Program Presents

Reading and Group Participation As A Resource For Self-Care and Burn-Out Prevention

Clinical Title: The Ethical Responsibility of Self-Care As A Means Of Providing Optimal Clinical Care of Clients
Date: December 4, 2022
Time:12-3pm
Location: Zoom
Facilitators: Clinical Book Club Committee: Scott Cohen, LCSW Co-Chair, Kathleen Kaib, MSS, LCSW Co-Chair, Sylvia Gentry, LCSW, Deborah D. Shain, LCSW, and Marta Zehner, LCSW

Why Attend:

Our clients are the embodiment of their stories. Often, they come to us with a sense that they are powerless to redirect or change the direction of their life-story. As clinicians we are privileged to walk with clients on their journey, and we often use quotes from what we have read to illustrate that our clients are not alone, nor are they powerless to change direction. As we relate empathically with our clients, how can we prevent compassion fatigue?  Research has documented that reading increases the capacity for empathy and curiosity and restores energy.

This discussion on December 4th will be different from other “Book Clubs” that have focused on particular books. This one is designed with its purpose to respond to your voice about how the PSCSW “Book Club” can better meet your needs. The discussion will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on how you use the self-care of reading to enhance your ability to relate to clients whose stories can be overwhelming. What do you read? How does the reading help you? What do you recommend? How do you use Bibliotherapy with your clients? What do you want to learn from your colleagues?

Clinical Objectives: By participating in the entire discussion, participants will:

1. Understand how the use of reading provides opportunities for necessary self-care.
2. Utilize self-care in the promotion of empathy and compassion for clients.
3. Discuss how literature can be applied to facilitate growth of clients.

Specific Reading: Your Choice or  “Why Reading Is Good For Mental Health (NAMI California:  Researchers at The New School in New York City have found evidence that literary fiction “improves a reader’s capacity to understand what others are thinking and feeling.” Another study “drew a strong connection between reading fiction and better performance on widely used empathy and social acumen tests.” We’re all better off when we understand what others are experiencing. It gives us an opportunity to identify with others in similar circumstances. It can make us more understanding.

When we read about others with similar experiences, we can feel less alone. This is especially good for youth facing challenges. “…there are now more and more young adult novels which can help teenagers by addressing head-on the issues they may be dealing with in their day-to-day lives, from bullying to drugs to transgender issues and social exclusion….”

Continuing Education

FOR PENNSYLVANIA SOCIAL WORKERS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS: This program is approved for 3 clinical CE credits for professional workshops sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work, a state affiliate of the Clinical Social Work Association listed in Section 47.36 of Title 49, Chapter 47 of the PA Code, State Board of Social Work Examiners. This program is also approved for 2 ethics CE credits for professional workshops for marriage & family therapists (Section 48.36) and professional counselors (Section49.36).

FOR NEW JERSEY SOCIAL WORKERS: This program is approved for 3 clinical continuing education credits. Attendance at programs or courses given at state and national social work association conferences, where the criteria for membership is an academic degree in social work, are a valid source of continuing education credit (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.4(c)4)

FOR DELAWARE SOCIAL WORKERS: Presenter(s) have a minimum of 2 (two) years of practical application and/or research experience pertaining to the subject matter of this presentation. Please consult section 7.2.5 of the rules of the Board of Clinical Social Work Examiners to determine if this course is in conformance with state regulations.

PSCSW is authorized to provide CE Credits to participants who attend programs in their entirety and complete an evaluation as proof of attendance.