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Graduate College of Social Work

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Course Descriptions

 

Instructor-Led

Hybrid Racial Justice and Liberatory Practice Series

Self-Paced

To register and pay by credit card, click here. 

 

 

 

Relational Aggression: What is it and how do we address it?

Date: December 9, 2022  

Time:  9 AM - 12 PM (3 CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered exclusively on Zoom. A direct link will be sent prior to the date and time of the class. 

Course Fee: $75

Register: Here 

About the Course: 

This interactive training will define what relational aggression is as well as provide intervention strategies on the macro, mezzo, and micro level to address the problem in the school environment.  Participants will also learn about the dangers of this behavior relative to the developmental and emotional stages of adolescents.  Lastly, participants will have the opportunity to practice intervention strategies and create an action plan from which to build upon after the training. 

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:  

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:  

  • Identify/name instances of relational aggression as it occurs
  • Identify and execute intervention strategies from macro to micro levels
  • Create an outline of an action plan to begin to address the problem

About the Instructor:  

Jan Leger, LCSW has 25+ years of experience working in schools and/or with school aged children struggling with mental health issues.

 

 

Unlocking Couples’ Anger, Fighting, Distance, and Distress with Attachment Science: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Strategies

Date: February 10, 2023  

Time:  9 AM - 12 PM (3 CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered exclusively on Zoom. A direct link will be sent prior to the date and time of the class. 

Course Fee: $75

Register: Here 

About the Course: 

Couples often come to us in deep distress, sometimes close to ending their relationships.  Partners describe pain, hurt and often terrible ways of treating and interacting with each other. Without an attachment lens couples’ situations can seem hopeless and beyond repair. The tools of attachment science can help make sense of the attachment distress we are witnessing in couples. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy tools help us slow down, lean into couples’ pain, and begin to organize their interactions. Eventually we help partners create new interactions patterns which foster safety and closeness in their relationship.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:  

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:  

  • Understand and utilize attachment science in couple relationships to organize couples’ distress
  • Identify three main negative interaction cycles couples get caught in
  • Recognize partners’ triggers, behaviors, secondary emotions, primary emotions, and unmet needs in negative interaction cycles
  • Implement Emotionally Focused Therapy’s 5-step therapy process (i.e. the tango) in couples’ sessions

About the Instructor:  

Michelle Puster, M.Ed., LPC, Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist Supervisor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Mindfulness-Informed Professional helps couples through the pain of distance, silence, and arguing both relationally and sexually as the owner of Katy Couples & Wellness Counseling.  As a wife of over 15 years and mom of three young children, she understands the struggles life can bring and strain it can cause on marriages and relationships. It is painful when even talking to the person who means so much to you feels impossible. Michelle support couples in finding a way out of painful distance and disconnection and towards closeness, openness, and deep connection.

 

 

 

 

Each of the 4 courses in the Racial Justice and Liberatory Practice series can be taken separately and independently of the other courses. There are no prerequisite courses. There is a discounted fee for those that do choose to take all 4 courses.

Using Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality in Practice

Date: January 9 through January 27, 2023

9 hours of Self-Paced instruction with 1 hour required Zoom sessions on: January 12, 19, 26, 2023 at 11-12 CST

Time:  11 AM - Noon CST (12 CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered via a combination of Zoom and self-paced coursework. A direct link will be sent prior to the date and time of the class.

Course Fee: $240

Register: Here

About the Course:

In this course, we look at critical race theory and how to use it in practice. We break down the concepts of color-blind racism and the myth of meritocracy and look at how they show up in social work and related disciplines. We explore intersectionality as a framework to understand how oppression operates and how we can use this framework in our practice. We utilize book chapters, articles, videos, podcasts, websites, discussions and more as ways of learning, with a focus on theory and action.
This course is part of a larger series that will explore the historical and modern-day context of racism, white supremacy, and oppression from a systemic and interpersonal perspective. The following issues and themes will be discussed: colonization, enslavement, genocide, social construction of race, whiteness, anti-Black racism, the myth of meritocracy, racial colorblindness, the role of policy, ethics, intersectionality, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, ageism, resistance movements, and more. Participants will learn generalist frameworks and skills that contribute to a racial justice and liberatory practice.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:
  • Explore critical race theory (CRT) as a framework for their practice
  • Examine the myths of racial colorblindness and meritocracy and how they affect their practice
  • Examine intersectionality as a framework to understand how forms of oppression operate in society and interact significantly with racism
  • Understand that intersectionality comes from a Black Feminist perspective, has a specific analysis, and is not simply "diversity"

Presented by:

Shimon Cohen, MSW, LCSW

Shimon Cohen is a social work educator, podcaster and change agent. He is passionate about racial justice and liberatory social work. He is the host and producer of the nationally recognized podcast Doin’ the Work: Frontline Stores of Social Change.

Charla Cannon Yearwood, MSSW, LCSW

Charla Cannon Yearwood is an Indianapolis based clinical social worker. Her professional work, which includes clinical services, consulting, and teaching, are all rooted in liberation. Her research interests include challenging white supremacy in the social work profession and liberation based clinical mental health care.

 

Racial Justice & Anti-Oppressive Practice

Date: January 30 through February 17, 2023

9 hours of Self-Paced instruction with 1 hour required Zoom sessions on: February 2, 9, 16, 2023 at 11-12 CST

Time:  11 AM - Noon CST (12 CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered via a combination of Zoom and self-paced coursework. A direct link will be sent prior to the date and time of the class.

Course Fee: $240

Register: Here

About the Course:

In this course, we explore how to engage in racial justice and anti-oppressive practices. We look at how to do this work at the individual level, within organizations, and at the policy level. We review dangerous myths of why the racial wealth gap exists and ways to address it. We look at the impact of current social movements, such as Black Lives Matter. We examine how challenging antisemitism and Islamophobia are essential to this work. We utilize book chapters, articles, videos, podcasts, websites, discussions and more as ways of learning, with a focus on theory and action.

This course is part of a larger series that will explore the historical and modern-day context of racism, white supremacy, and oppression from a systemic and interpersonal perspective. The following issues and themes will be discussed: colonization, enslavement, genocide, social construction of race, whiteness, anti-Black racism, the myth of meritocracy, racial colorblindness, the role of policy, ethics, intersectionality, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, ageism, resistance movements, and more. Participants will learn generalist frameworks and skills that contribute to a racial justice and liberatory practice.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:
  • Define racial justice and anti-oppressive practice (AOP)
  • Explore strategies for implementing racial justice and AOP into their practice
  • Begin to develop a plan of action for application of racial justice and AOP into their work

Presented by:

Shimon Cohen, MSW, LCSW

Shimon Cohen is a social work educator, podcaster and change agent. He is passionate about racial justice and liberatory social work. He is the host and producer of the nationally recognized podcast Doin’ the Work: Frontline Stores of Social Change.

Charla Cannon Yearwood, MSSW, LCSW

Charla Cannon Yearwood is an Indianapolis based clinical social worker. Her professional work, which includes clinical services, consulting, and teaching, are all rooted in liberation. Her research interests include challenging white supremacy in the social work profession and liberation based clinical mental health care.

 

 

Ethical Practices in Telehealth Services for Social Workers (Self-Paced)

Date: Ongoing beginning January 15, 2021 

Time:  24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week (3 Ethics CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered exclusively online via Canvas. A direct link will be sent once the participant has registered.

Course Fee: $50

Register: Here

About the Course:

Technology impacts our work on a variety of fronts, service delivery and organizationally, therefore learning how to make our work HIPAA compliant will enhance protections of a client's PHI. Avenues with case scenarios and situations will illustrate the material readings along with some media sidebars. Resources are given and the state laws, federal laws and our professional ethics are given as they guide our practice in all situations.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

This course, as part of the new normal, is vital for any clinical or macro social worker who is providing telehealth services. Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Apply the scope of practice with technology as the medium.
  • Identify the ethical standards impacting the use of technology in social work practice.
  • Identify the legal aspects needed to ensure ethical social work practice using technology.
  • Implement problem-solving with strong ethical practice

About the Instructor:

Cynthia F. Reibenstein, LCSW-S, CFSW, ACSW, DCSW, is the instructor for this course. Cynthia Reibenstein is certified in Financial Social Work and is very highly regarded throughout Texas as an expert in social work ethics. She has over 27 years of experience in a variety of settings like schools, medical and mental health facilities, as well as experience in supervision and social work consultation. She has developed effective presentations to assist colleagues, professionals, and the public in overcoming barriers that lead them to a more meaningful life. Currently, she teaches part-time at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and has a supervision/consultation practice. Cynthia also works with the elderly and with people with disabilities and serves on several boards that focus on education. Reibenstein and Associates is dedicated to ethical, quality service that helps individuals be motivated and inspired to develop their full potential.

 

Record Keeping and Documentation: Ethical Challenges in Our Professionalism (Self-Paced)

Date: Ongoing beginning June 9, 2021 

Time:  24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week (3 Ethics CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered exclusively online via Canvas. A direct link will be sent once the participant has registered.

Course Fee: $50

Register: Here

About the Course:

Record keeping and documentation are the backbone on which our professionalism stands. Without these skills we stand to lose credibility and value within our organizations, our profession and our society. Learn the skill sets that can enhance your communication, your professional worth, and your viability. The laws that govern these vital areas will be reviewed in light of issues and situations we find ourselves in our practice micro to macro. The ethical challenges present opportunities for professional growth.

A link to the newly revised NASW Code of Ethics will be sent.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify ethics that involve record keeping, documentation, and storage.
  • Identify new laws that embody the rules of record-keeping, documentation and storage.
  • Understand the financial consequences of poor records management that place you at risk.
  • Learn the best possible approach to clinical records.
  • Learn the 5 steps of record keeping.

About the Instructor:

Cynthia F. Reibenstein, LCSW-S, CFSW, ACSW, DCSW, is the instructor for this course. Cynthia Reibenstein is certified in Financial Social Work and is very highly regarded throughout Texas as an expert in social work ethics. She has over 27 years of experience in a variety of settings like schools, medical and mental health facilities, as well as experience in supervision and social work consultation. She has developed effective presentations to assist colleagues, professionals, and the public in overcoming barriers that lead them to a more meaningful life. Currently, she teaches part-time at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and has a supervision/consultation practice. Cynthia also works with the elderly and with people with disabilities and serves on several boards that focus on education. Reibenstein and Associates is dedicated to ethical, quality service that helps individuals be motivated and inspired to develop their full potential.

 

The Ethics and Role of Social Work in Addressing Socio-Economic Disparity and in Achieving Financial Literacy to Help Overcome It (Self-Paced)

Date: Ongoing beginning July 15, 2021 

Time:  24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week (3 Ethics CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered exclusively online via Canvas. A direct link will be sent once the participant has registered.

Course Fee: $50

Register: Here

About the Course:

Socio-economic disparity is a reality that is under-addressed in our work. The divide impacts the client’s ability to “make ends meet” and to lead a life with the knowledge of their relationship with money and finances. Families’ livelihoods impact mental health, emotional health and is the source of many communication problems. The tension underscores a culture of poverty. Beginning with children, financial literacy can enhance their growth, and avenues to have a positive relationship with money, will close the economic gap. Social work has a role, and our ethics provide the template for addressing this both on the individual and societal levels.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:

  • Improve their ability to address socio-economic disparity in their client’s life.
  • Enhance their ability to address the socio-economic disparity in the systems that will engage with the client.
  • Identify basic terms in financial literacy and the 2 theoretical models for financial social work.
  • Identify the ethics that guide our work with those affected by social economic disparity.
  • Apply financial health to their life.

About the Instructor:

Cynthia F. Reibenstein, LCSW-S, CFSW, ACSW, DCSW, is the instructor for this course. Cynthia Reibenstein is certified in Financial Social Work and is very highly regarded throughout Texas as an expert in social work ethics. She has over 27 years of experience in a variety of settings like schools, medical and mental health facilities, as well as experience in supervision and social work consultation. She has developed effective presentations to assist colleagues, professionals, and the public in overcoming barriers that lead them to a more meaningful life. Currently, she teaches part-time at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and has a supervision/consultation practice. Cynthia also works with the elderly and with people with disabilities and serves on several boards that focus on education. Reibenstein and Associates is dedicated to ethical, quality service that helps individuals be motivated and inspired to develop their full potential.

 

Play Therapy 101: Introduction to Play Therapy (Self-Paced)

Date: Ongoing beginning August 25, 2021 

Time:  24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week (3 CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered exclusively online via Canvas. A direct link will be sent once the participant has registered.

Course Fee: $50

Register: Here

About the Course:

This is a self-paced, recorded lecture.

This continuing education course teaches participants the basic theories of play, Play Therapy, and the neurobiological impacts of play. Participants will learn the core Therapeutic powers of play and learn through case examples how Play Therapists utilize the powers to achieve therapeutic treatment goals. Participants

will learn about the Association for Play Therapy’s credentialing process and requirements for becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Completion of a Post-Test and Evaluation are required for participants to earn 3 non-contact APT Approved Play Therapy continuing education hours as well as the 3 CEUs for the course.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:

  • Differentiate between regular play and therapeutic play.
  • Describe the therapeutic powers of play and the basic elements of Play Therapy.
  • Identify the neurobiological impacts of play and Play Therapy.
  • Identify major theoretical foundations and empirical research base for Play Therapy.
  • List the requirements for the attainment of the RPT Credential and define what it means to call oneself a Play Therapist.

About the Instructor:

Steven L Parks, LCSW-S, MBA, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) is the instructor for this course. Steven L. Parks is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor that specializes in the clinical practice with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced trauma and attachment disruptions. Steven holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Texas Tech University and both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Houston. Steven is also a Registered Play Therapist, Supervisor, and an Association for Play Therapy Approved Provider of Play Therapy Continuing Education. Steven is currently a lecturing faculty professor at the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston and operates a part-time private practice, The Healing Place in Sugar Land, Texas.

 

Behavior Change Tools/Techniques in Our Practice of Financial Social Work - Private Practitioners, School Social Workers, Agency Case Managers (Self-Paced)

Date: Ongoing 

Time:  24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week (3 Ethics CEUs)

Location: This course is being offered exclusively online via Canvas. A direct link will be sent once the participant has registered.

Course Fee: $50

Register: Here

About the Course:

Through this three-hour self-paced instructor-recorded course, one will become more acquainted with the tools and techniques, an overview of models, for working with clients and systems in the area of financial social work. Addressing the disparity will enhance one’s ability to provide for not only basic living and decision making but also address means in building a successful financial relationship and retirement. In the work, the tools and techniques highlighted from Motivational Interviewing and the Transtheoretical Model of Change will also be held as one of social work’s basic ethics, that of self-determination as well as professional growth.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:

  • To identify at least three tools/techniques in building a client’s relationship with their money
  • To identify tools/techniques in working with a client’s financial habits
  • To identify how their relationship with money impacts their financial social work
  • To identify how our ethics impacts the client/worker relationship
  • To identify how motivational interviewing, the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, and the Transformational learning model impacts financial wellness work

About the Instructor: 

Cynthia F. Reibenstein, LCSW-S, CFSW, ACSW, DCSW, is the instructor for this course. Cynthia Reibenstein is certified in Financial Social Work and is very highly regarded throughout Texas as an expert in social work ethics. She has over 27 years of experience in a variety of settings like schools, medical and mental health facilities, as well as experience in supervision and social work consultation. She has developed effective presentations to assist colleagues, professionals, and the public in overcoming barriers that lead them to a more meaningful life. Currently, she teaches part-time at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and has a supervision/consultation practice. Cynthia also works with the elderly and with people with disabilities and serves on several boards that focus on education. Reibenstein and Associates is dedicated to ethical, quality service that helps individuals be motivated and inspired to develop their full potential.

 

Challenges and Update on Confidentiality Ethics, All Settings: Private Practice, Schools, Agencies, Healthcare and Technology! (Self-Paced)

Date: Ongoing 

Time:  24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week (3 Ethics CEUs) 

Location: This course is being offered exclusively online via Canvas. A direct link will be sent once the participant has registered. 

Course Fee: $50 

Register: Here 

About the Course: 

Confidentiality is a core value in our profession. Through cases, scenarios and your discussion, the challenges that confidentiality holds in our work will be examined with the ethical decision-making model. Confidentiality is a core ethic that builds the relationship for effective practice. Our practice settings will bring to life some real-life situations and cases illustrating the updates we need to stay current in our practice. Come and participate! 

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO LEARN: 

Upon concluding this course, participants will be able to:  

  • Identify strengths to aide in maintaining confidentiality 
  • Identify vulnerable times that put confidentiality at risk 
  • Identify practice strategies to safeguard one's ethics 
  • Distinguish between privacy and confidentiality and privileged communication 
  • Grasp the many roles and relationships one has while at work 
  • Understand how the funding source impacts confidentiality 
  • Identify the updates in confidentiality areas, especially with technology 

About the Instructor:  

Cynthia F. Reibenstein, LCSW-S, CFSW, ACSW, DCSW, is the instructor for this course. Cynthia Reibenstein is certified in Financial Social Work and is very highly regarded throughout Texas as an expert in social work ethics. She has over 27 years of experience in a variety of settings like schools, medical and mental health facilities, as well as experience in supervision and social work consultation. She has developed effective presentations to assist colleagues, professionals, and the public in overcoming barriers that lead them to a more meaningful life. Currently, she teaches part-time at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and has a supervision/consultation practice. Cynthia also works with the elderly and with people with disabilities and serves on several boards that focus on education. Reibenstein and Associates is dedicated to ethical, quality service that helps individuals be motivated and inspired to develop their full potential. 

 

 

 

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