Social Work Me

On Episode 30 Matt sits down to chat with Kate Becker who is a certified EMDR therapist, Trainer, Consultant, Yoga instructor and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist based out of Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Kate has been providing Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy for the past 5 years using Ketamine and Psilocybin in both individual and group settings. She is also an MDMA therapy trainee and splits her time between Connecticut and Jamaica where she assists with the facilitation of psilocybin journeys at Atman Retreats. 

On this episode we discuss: 

• EMDR therapy:  protocols for addiction
• Psychedelic trainings
• Working with Ketamine & Psilocybin
• Ego dissolution
• Set, Setting and Intentions vs. Goals
• The use of touch during psychedelic sessions
• Psilocybin retreats in Jamaica
• Non-directive approaches 
• Merging EMDR with Psychedelic Psychotherapy
• Preparation, Integration and EMDR
• Case Example: How EMDR helped a client with a past negative psychedelic experience
• Tips for getting into this space
• Tips for managing, mitigating and preventing burnout and vicarious trauma

To find out more about Kate check out her website HERE

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on INSTAGRAM

On Episode 29 Matt is joined by 2nd Year Psychology Student Quinn Bisson to interview King’s University Social Work Professor Dr. Rick Csiernik. 

Quinn has been working with the homeless population and his interests in mental health and addiction have led him to develop a focus on Social Work. Coupled with the experience of taking a class from Dr. Rick, his focus is now on transitioning into the BSW program. With that in mind, Quinn and Matt decided to do an episode on the different degrees in Social Work and what type of opportunities lie within the field. Dr. Rick shares his insight and his experience in academia, addictions, mental health, workplace wellness and how to stay healthy in the Social Work field. 

On this episode we cover: 

• The variety of career options in the social work field
• Overview and differences between BSW vs. MSW vs. PhD programs in Social Work
• 3 basic reasons why people become social workers
• Advice for those who want to gain more social work experience before the BSW, MSW application
• What to do after you get your BSW or MSW 
• Why the MSW is now seen as the standard education in the field
• Working within the addiction field from a social work lens
• Why he sends his students to AA meetings
• How accessibility impacts social and psychological change
• 4 factors that lead to client success in therapy
• Tips for managing, mitigating and treating burnout and vicarious trauma
• EAP programs- the good, the bad and the ugly
• The importance of an ‘ego file’
• Words of wisdom for anyone interested in becoming a social worker

Rick Csiernik is a Professor at King’s College, University of Western Ontario. He is an author and international speaker and has authored and edited several popular CSPI titles: Wellness and Work (2005); Responding to the Oppression of Addiction (co-edited with William S. Rowe, 2010); Substance Use and Abuse (2011); and Homelessness, Housing, and Mental Health (co-edited with Cheryl Forchuk and Elsabeth Jensen, 2011). More recently he has authored books on Substance Use and Misuse (2021) Teaching Social Work (2020) and A Counsellor’s Guide to Psychoactive Drugs (2014). 

The author of more than 75 journal articles, his research interests include employee assistance programming and workplace wellness, addiction, social work and spirituality, and program evaluation. Included on the King’s University College Honour Roll of teaching fourteen consecutive times, he is a past recipient of the McMaster University Instructor Appreciation Award. 

To connect with Dr. Rick you can reach him at [email protected] or on LinkedIn and you can see a full list of his books Here.

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on INSTAGRAM

On Ep. 28 Matt is joined by Clinical Psychotherapist, Psychedelic Specialist and Author- Daniel McQueen. Daniel is the co-founder and executive director of The Center for Medicinal Mindfulness in Boulder, Colorado and we take a deep dive into all things Cannabis assisted psychotherapy. 

On the show we cover a wide range of topics including :

• Underground vs. Legal psychedelic work
• Group and individual psychedelic work
• Cannabis: terpenes & cannabinoid profiles
• Protocols involving cannabis assisted psychotherapy
• The importance of preparation and integration
• Conscious parenting and cannabis
• The role of guides, sitters, psychedelic therapists
• The Center's training program
• Tips for managing, preventing, mitigating burnout and vicarious trauma
• Tips for those who want to get involved in the psychedelic space
  
  If you want to learn more about Daniel McQueen check out his WEBSITE and connect with him on Linkedin
  
  To purchase his book click HERE
  
  If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on INSTAGRAM

On Episode 27, Social Worker/Psychotherapist and Author- Linda Hochstetler joins the show to talk about her new book- 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End-of-Life as well as a wide range of topics surrounding death and dying. 

On this episode we cover:

• Linda’s path in Social Work
• Personal Experiences with death 
• Death cafes (CBC Article)
• Eastern vs. Western views/culture around death 
• Role of social workers at end-of-life
• Importance of planning around death
• Mysticism surrounding death
• Alternative and complementary therapies
• Role and benefits of volunteering in Hospice
• Grief Counselling vs. Grief Therapy
• Recommended therapy modalities and theories 
• Case example: fear of death
• Ways to support and not support those who are grieving
• Tips for new social workers wanting to get into this area
• Tips for managing, preventing, mitigating burnout and vicarious trauma

If you want to learn more about Linda Hochstetler check out her WEBSITE and connect with her on Linkedin

To purchase her book click HERE

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on INSTAGRAM

On Ep. 26 Matt connects with the hosts of the Guerrilla Social Work Podcast- Jeff Moore & Mace Warren to discuss all things forensic psychotherapy and their practice Alpha Counselling in Utah. On this episode we cover:

-Risk assessments with sexual offenders
-Phallometric testing
-Pornography + implications with sex offenders
-Canadian vs. US laws/practices
-Sex dolls + Child sex dolls
-Individual and group therapy with offenders
-Language + approaches in psychotherapy
-Intersection of trauma and sexual offending

If you want to hear more from Jeff & Mace, check out their PODCAST and their practice WEBSITE

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on INSTAGRAM

Episode 25 dives into the crossover between creativity, mindfulness and social work. Joined by Jorie Morrow who is a registered social worker, psychotherapist, certified mindfulness meditation coach/facilitator and professional actor, playwright and producer from Toronto, Ontario.

On this episode we cover:

-Working in community mental health setting + generalized practice
-Open Access counselling
-Intersection of creativity and social work
-How to achieve higher levels of creativity
-Mindfulness and the benefits to our work with clients and clinicians
-Types of clients that may not benefit immediately from mindfulness
-Intersection of acting and social work
-Integrating social work experiences in artistic ways (Gayley Road Productions, Out At School, SNAP!)
-Using expressive forms of therapy
-Tips and wisdom for new social workers, therapists, mental health practitioners
-Improv techniques that can be translated into social work
-Therapeutic benefits of expressive arts
-Tips for managing and preventing burnout and vicarious trauma

If you would like to connect with Jorie Morrow you can e-mail her at [email protected]

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on INSTAGRAM

On Episode 24 Matt is joined by psychologist and psychotherapist Roger Solomon to talk about trauma, grief and EMDR. Roger has over 40 years experience in the mental health field and is currently the program director for the EMDR Institute.  He is an author, international trainer in basic and advanced EMDR, and consultant for the US senate, NASA and has provided clinical services and training to the FBI, Secret Service, ATF, US Dept of Justice and the Polizia di Stato in Italy. Roger has provided direct services following such tragedies as the Oklahoma City Bombing, 9/11 terrorist attack, Space Shuttle Columbia, and mass casualty incidents including hurricanes and shootings. 

On this episode we cover:

-Impacts of the pandemic on psychotherapy and EMDR
-Police psychology and working with law enforcement
-Critical Incident Debriefing + Peer Support Programs
-Psychological testing for Bomb Squad, SWAT team and Hostage Negotiators
-Vicarious Trauma
-EMDR Therapy
-Frameworks for working with grief (4 theoretical approaches)
-Intersection of trauma and grief
-Traumatic bereavement
-Common therapist pitfalls
-The 'art' of EMDR
-Managing burnout and vicarious trauma
+plenty more

Roger is currently looking for volunteers for his video demonstrations in EMDR training. If you are interested in being a volunteer or connecting with Roger- you can e-mail him @ [email protected] and check out his WEBSITE for more information

Also, check out this amazing training from Roger: Utilization of EMDR with Traumatic Bereavement HERE

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on INSTAGRAM

On Episode 23, Matt stays close to home with an interview with clinical social worker Kirsten Dezort who is a certified EMDR therapist, consultant-in-training and the coordinator of the Sarnia EMDR regional group. Kirsten has been a licensed clinical social worker for 16 years and has worked in Michigan and Sarnia in both agency and private practice settings.

On this episode we cover:

-Understanding, assessing and treating Perinatal Mental Health, Postpartum Mood Disorders and Birth Trauma
-Risk & protective factors for new parents
-Early intervention methods
-Impact of Covid-19 on perinatal mental health and parenting
-Working with men and fathers
-Pregnancy loss
-Societal/cultural norms and expectations of parenting
-Sleep + Sleep Training
-Tips and wisdom for new clinicians
-EMDR and treatment outcomes
-Resources for clinicians working in this area

To get in touch with Kirsten Dezort you can reach her @
[email protected]

Suggested Resources:

Website: Post Partum Support International

Karen Kleiman Website: Postpartum Stress Center

Dr. Dan Singley's Resources for Men:
-Videos
-Monthly Chat for Dads

Book: How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn

EMDR Infertility Protocol by Reg Morrow: Marilyn Luber's Book

On Episode 22, Matt sits down to 'chew the fat' with Clinical Psychologist- Matt Pugh and Compassion Focused Therapist/CBT Therapist- Tobyn Bell from England. Matt and Tobyn are the directors and founders of Chair Work- an organization which aims to provide research, training, therapy and supervision surrounding the use of chair work.

On this episode we cover:

-Chair work & it's history
-Combining chair work with various modalities including CBT & CFT
-Landscape of the Mind & Aboutism
-Parts Work
-Chair work with eating disorders
-Enhancing self-compassion using chair work
-Adaptations of chair work for virtual sessions
-Benefits and opportunities of using chair work online
-How to build confidence as a therapist to use chair work
-Single session chair work
-Supervisors using chair work with supervisees

To find out more about Matt & Tobyn's research, training and services, check out their WEBSITE

If you want to connect with other clinician's using chair work, check out Matt and Tobyn's FACEBOOK GROUP

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on INSTAGRAM

On Episode 21, Matt connects with Mark Micelli who is the National Programs Manager at the Waves of Wellness Foundation. Mark is a registered Social Worker from Ontario, living and working abroad in Sydney, Australia. Mark shares his journey that started with a passion for water sports in Windsor and led him to Australia where he works with the Waves of Wellness organization providing Surf Therapy to a variety of populations experiencing mental health challenges . On this episode we cover:

-Grad school
-Working abroad in the Social Work field
-Merging passion with clinical work
-Group therapy interventions, considerations
-Building trust, emotional safety and engagement
-Surf Therapy + International Surf Therapy Organization
-Waves of Wellness Organization programming and customized groups
-Considerations for providing clinical work outside of the traditional office

To connect with Mark- you can find him on LinkedIn

To find out more about the Waves of Wellness Foundation check out their website

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on Instagram