Webinar series
After cancelling our 2020 conference, we regrouped and partnered with the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) to deliver several of the conference sessions as a series of professional development webinars, available not only to our members but to our colleagues across the country. These webinars were recorded and are now available on-demand from the CASW website.
Using Family Diagrams for Expanding Context and Informing Diagnosis
Anne Pirie and Jim Morton introduced participants to Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) and describe how to construct a family diagram: a tool for assessing and recording significant contextual information. Placing symptoms in their family/ social context informs diagnostic work and treatment directions in various clinical settings.
Help is on the Line: Incorporating Technology into Therapy
Jenny Cameron and Thomas Williams described key points about historical and contemporary telehealth services, and discussed future directions of telehealth in Nova Scotia and across Canada. Particular attention was paid to how technology can be used to provide more equitable services to marginalized populations within Nova Scotia. The discussion was situated within the Social Work Code of Ethics, covering how we can ensure services promote inherent dignity, social justice, and confidentiality for all of those involved.
Brief Intro to Borderline Personality Disorder for Child Protection Staff
Jacqueline Barkley introduced session participants to key introductory issues in understanding the Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis and its traits, and provided concrete suggestions for managing clients suffering from this personality disorder.
Mental Health with Elementary Age Students
Participants joined Davina Melanson, a behavioural intervention teacher, to discuss and unpack mental health challenges emerging in elementary aged youth, and concrete strategies for teachers, counsellors and concerned communities to engage in practical, supportive action.