SW 472 Evidence-Based Approaches in Social Work Practice
In this course students will gain relevant knowledge and practice skills in order to practice motivational interviewing and dialectical behavior therapy with diverse client populations in an array of settings. In the first half of the course, students will gain exposure to the spirit of motivational interviewing as both a philosophy about client engagement and an approach that is sensitive to and respectful of the client’s ambivalence about change. They will learn how to ask questions and respond to clients in a way that is curious, reflective, supportive, and ultimately strives to promote client self-determination, well-being, and readiness for change. MI has been proven to be an effective approach for clients who struggle with substance use disorders and other addictive disorders, as well as suicidal ideation. In the second half of the course, students will focus on dialectical behavior therapy, which is a manualized curriculum developed by Marsha Linehan and teaches clients the skills that enable self-regulation of affect, and to consider how their own meaning making and perceptions impact their behaviors that inform their sense of self and relationship with others, and is used with clients in both individual and group settings. Students will also learn how to integrate MI and DBT as a combined intervention strategy when appropriate. This course meets the requirement for a clinical practice elective.
Prerequisite
SW-411B or Advanced Standing