Social Work Me

Episode 10 is all about Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) with our guest Lauren Markos.

Lauren is currently in her last semester of the MSW program at the University of Buffalo and has over 10 years experience in the social work field including time spent in child welfare, the criminal justice sector and working with indigenous populations.

On this episode we discuss the impacts of Covid-19 on completing the MSW program as well as why Solution Focused Therapy is so useful during this time. Lauren details the ins and outs of this modality including specific examples of questions and how to approach clients that are stuck and focused on problems and issues out of their control. We spend some time looking at the utility of SFT with traumatized clients and discuss some practical steps to prevent burnout and vicarious trauma.

If you want to connect or learn more from Lauren- she can be reached at [email protected]

Also, stay tuned to our Instagram page for an unreleased interview about adapting your business/private practice, marketing and values to Covid-19. 

Our guest on Episode 9 is Kathy Steele who is a psychotherapist, trainer, consultant and author from Atlanta, Georgia with over 35 years experience.

Kathy is the Past President and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), and has also served two terms on the Board of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Kathy served on the International Task Force that developed treatment guidelines for Dissociative Disorders, and on the Joint International Task Force that has developed treatment guidelines for Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. She has received a number of awards for her work, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from ISSTD, an Emory University Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Cornelia B. Wilbur Award for Outstanding Clinical Contributions from ISSTD.

Kathy is considered an expert in complex trauma, dissociation and attachment and her last co-authored book: Treating Trauma Related Dissociation: A Practical Integrative Approach won the Pierre Janet Writing Award.

On this episode Kathy gives some background on her career path, the treatment of dissociation over time, and explains important terms and concepts in trauma therapy. She breaks down assessment and treatment aspects of trauma and dissociation as well as break down phase oriented trauma treatment. The inner critic, wounded child parts and other important 'characters' are discussed with some insight into how to explain and work with these areas in therapy. Lastly, Kathy provides useful tips and wisdom for new therapists and ways to prevent and manage burnout and vicarious trauma.

For more information about Kathy, her publications and trainings check out her website HERE

On Episode 8, Matt chats with Social Worker, Psychotherapist and developer of Emotion Focused Mindfulness Therapy (EMFT)- Bill Gayner.

Bill dives into his history with Buddhism, some of the ethical issues that surround the religion and how this and his mindfulness practice led him to the social work field. His background working in a hospital setting working with gay and bisexual men with HIV as well as his time as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto have led Bill to many years practicing and teaching mindfulness to mental health professionals, residents and social work students.

Throughout this episode Bill gives us an overview of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness, Meditation and how his experience and learning has led to the creation of EFMT. Bill cites many of his mentors, teachers and research that has helped him to create this modality and provides insight into how EFMT is facilitated in group therapy.

If you're interested in finding out more about Bill and his upcoming trainings check out www.mindfulfeeling.ca

Also, Bill and his colleagues Rodelyn Wisco and Cleo Haber will be providing a one-hour online workshop, “Meditation and Empathic Exploration in Emotion-Focused Mindfulness Therapy" in the upcoming online Mindful Society Conference on Saturday, May 2nd, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

https://amindfulsociety.org/conference-program/

For an overview of EFMT:

https://mindfulfeeling.ca/about-emotion-focused-therapy/orientation-to-efmt-meditation/

https://mindfulfeeling.ca/my-paper-on-efmt-has-been-published/

Centre for Psychology & Emotional Health:

https://www.cpeh.ca/bill-gayner

Touching the Earth:

https://secularbuddhistnetwork.org/touching-the-earth-exploring-a-new-secular-self-help-mindfulness-group-approach/

On Episode 7- Matt interviews social worker and child protection supervisor Katie Glaves. 

With over 25 years experience in child welfare, Katie talks about her path in social work including growing up as a foster family and the process she experienced as a foster sibling. We discuss the grief and loss involved with fostering, the push towards inclusive fostering and the process that foster families experience. We also discuss the impacts of trauma and how children in care may experience foster care. 

Katie outlines how Covid-19 has impacted child protection work and how case management, access and court are being managed through this pandemic. This episode gives great tips and practical strategies for child protection workers and social workers in general. 

On our final episode of Season 1 we stay close to home in Sarnia, Ontario where we interview one of our community's most experienced therapist and clinical social worker. Gail Furlan has been practicing for over 40 years and has been trained in a variety of different modalities and has found that Holographic Memory Resolution (HMR) Therapy to be the most efficient and effective in her work with clients experiencing trauma. 

Gail discusses her path in social work, HMR and it's founder Brent Baum as well as real life stories from her 40 year career. 

For more information about our guest- Gail Furlan please check out her website- https://www.gailfurlan.com

On Episode 5 we interview Clinical Psychologist and King's University College professor Dr. Tatiana Zdyb from London, Ontario. In this 30 minute interview we cover a lot of ground including her Best Rated Psychologist Award for 2 years running, operating a successful private practice, mindfulness & meditation as well as working in a prison setting and with individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. 

For more information about Dr. Zdyb check out her website: https://zdyb.ca

On Episode 4 (Part 2) we continue our conversation with Psychologist and Sex Therapist- Dr. Guy Grenier in London, Ontario. 

We expand on our discussion about Ontario's comprehensive sex education curriculum, the Catholic curriculum and conversion therapy. 

(*Correction from the episode: The Catholic sex education textbook is called 'Fully Alive')

Dr. Guy dives into sex therapy with a case example of how he helps couples work through sex related issues. He also shares his wisdom and humour on when to refer out, sex among the elderly, erotophobia vs erotophilic professionals, burnout management strategies and his book- "10 Conversations You Must Have Before You Get Married (and how to have them)"

You can find out more about Dr. Guy at http://drguy.ca and you can buy his book here - https://www.amazon.ca/Conversations-Must-Have-Before-Married/dp/1489541357

On Episode 4 Matt & Julie meet up with Dr. Guy Grenier, a Clinical Psychologist, Sex & Marital Therapist and Author in London, Ontario. 

Dr. Guy uses a healthy dose of humour in his work as a sex therapist and in this interview we get a glimpse into the world of sex therapy, pornography, comprehensive sex education in Ontario and all the fun stuff in between. 

To find out more about Dr. Guy check out his website: http://drguy.ca

There is some explicit language so viewer discretion is advised. 

On Episode 3 Julie & Matt interview Family Lawyer and Mediator- Amanda Gaw from Sarnia, Ontario. 

In this episode Amanda helps us to explore topics surrounding divorce, separation, custody/access and signs of parental alienation in a family law setting. Amanda's child centred approach to family law is also discussed with tips and recommendations for parents, lawyers and those in the helping profession. 

For more information about Amanda Gaw check out her website: https://www.amandagawfamilylaw.ca

Matt and Julie take a road trip to London, Ontario to interview Dr. Amanda Bell about her experiences working in group homes, child protection and in treating sexual offenders and sexual assault survivors. Amanda discusses the importance of doing our own work and her  personal experience with vicarious trauma. 

EMDR and Play Therapy are two modalities that Amanda teaches and uses in her private practice and she gives insight into how she integrates both therapies into her work with children. This episode focuses on child sexual abuse and offender treatment and it's impact on victims and helpers- some content may be upsetting for some listeners