Embracing the Whole Person in Social Work

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This course offers knowledge, skills, and support for health professionals to become more compassionate, mindful, healthy helpers. Social workers often work with clients that are in crisis or have experienced trauma or are experiencing trauma and stress in the present.

Social work is about the relationships we have with individuals, families and communities, it is about partnership and collaboration with clients and consumers in the helping process, it's also about building on the strengths and capacities of people and communities, and instilling hope that there can be better tomorrow.

To be effective in this work it's necessary to understand what trauma is, know the effects of trauma, and what the social work profession and other professions are doing in the area of trauma informed care and to work successfully with diverse individuals, groups, families and communities that have experienced trauma.

Learners will be provided information and insight into the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES), which highlights the connection between how early life trauma can impact health and wellness throughout the lifespan. Social workers often come to the profession because of something traumatic they have experienced in their life which has led them to want to help other trauma survivors.

In this course learners will also explore the important concepts and experiences of well-being, strengths, resiliency, and post-traumatic growth. The material in this course may be emotional or overwhelming to read about or watch or talk about. It is important to cultivate wellness tools to be able to support ourselves through life's challenges and combat burnout and compassion fatigue. This course is also likely to inspire you and uplift you as we learn about the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

What you will learn

• Describe the impacts of trauma and stress on the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of the individual and community.
• Understand the benefits and challenges of implementing healing-centered and trauma-informed care practices.
• Recognize the benefits of wellness tools to regulate the nervous system and create balance in life.
• Apply wellness strategies and tools to your own work and life.

Skills you learn

• Trauma Care
• Systems Thinking
• Compassion
• Resilience
• Social Work

Syllabus

• Week 1: Ways of Knowing – Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
• Week 2: Being Mindful, Self-Aware, and Compassionate – Healthy Helpers
• Week 3: ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences Study) – History and Hope
• Week 4: Relationship Between Biology and Environment Over Time
• Week 5: Epigenetics and Social Work
• Week 6: Strength, Resilience & Post-Traumatic Growth

Auto Summary

"Embracing the Whole Person in Social Work" is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of trauma and wellness through a holistic, systems-based approach. Offered by edX, this foundational course delves into the interconnectedness of relationships and the importance of a strengths-based perspective. Participants will learn about resilience, post-traumatic growth, and strategies for healing and wellness, recognizing that complex problems necessitate multifaceted solutions. Spanning 45 hours, this engaging program is perfect for those in the health and fitness domain seeking to deepen their knowledge and practical skills in social work. Learners can choose from Professional or Starter subscription options to best suit their needs and goals. Ideal for individuals at the foundational level, this course is a valuable resource for anyone committed to fostering holistic well-being in their professional practice.