SoCW-6060 & 6443-WK1-Responses

RESPONSE 1

Respond to at least two colleagues who selected a different theory type in one of the following ways:

·       Expand on your colleague’s post by explaining how using the theory type your colleague selected might apply to the case you described.

·       Offer and support an opinion about how you might apply the theory your colleague selected to your work with a specific population. Be sure to include a description of the population.

Colleague 1: Jennifer

Theories allow social workers to gain insight how and why people do the things they do, and illustrates the nature of the behavior (Robbins, Chatterjee, & Canda, 2012).  People do not come to social workers if they are having a great day. Social workers are to empower and create positive change for others. There are many aspects to take into consideration by gathering information and theories. Theories present underlying issues that are demonstrated by the person’s behavior. Therefore, a theory is vital for social workers to be able to identify. A given theory can allow social workers to organize observations and gather meaningful information (Beder, 2000).  

While reviewing this week’s recourses the theory that appeals to me the most is the macro level. Research indicates that the macro level theories demonstrate a balance that is abstract and general to effectively present structure and functioning within large entities such as societies, cultures and communities (Robbins, Chatterjee, & Canda, 2012).  This theory can be applied towards educating and providing awareness about issues that are creating social problems within large entities. This applies to me more as an up and coming social worker since I have recently been facilitating groups and I have observed how powerful groups can be within communities. While facilitating groups you can visually see others responses towards the information that is provided while encouraging and engaging others to participate. So far I have facilitated inpatient and outpatient substance abuse group that has been an enriching experience to create such a tremendous impact to encourage and empower others. This theory type is best for me since I have had the opportunity to work on this level and been able to effectively encourage others within larger entities.  

References

Beder, J. (2000). The integration of theory into practice: Suggestions for supervisors. Professional Development: The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, 3(2), 40–48. Retrieved from http://www.profdevjournal.org/articles/32040.pdf

Robbins, S. P., Chatterjee, P., & Canda, E. R. (2012). Contemporary human behavior theory: A critical perspective for social work (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon

Collegue 2: Lea

Salas, Sen, and Segal (2010) describe Critical Theory as a “call for social action.” Critical Theory involves an examination of our society and the identification of the differences in the social order of individuals and how it divides society into the haves (the people in power) and have-nots (the oppressed). Critical Theory asserts that by identification and understanding of this divide, social change can be enacted. The authors remind us that because the focus of this theory is, ultimately, social and individual empowerment, it flows across other theories (i.e. Feminist and Empowerment Theory).

My area of interest is forensic social work. I like working with those involved in the criminal justice system and would like to work within the jail and prison systems. In these settings, the social worker is engaged with individuals at the lowest end of the power differential. These are people have lost most of their rights and freedom. People of color, already at the lower end of the power differential in this country, are further marginalized by the penal system, prompting some scholars to purport that the prison system is the new plantation (Brewer & Heitzig, 2008). As a social worker in this setting, I would utilize the Critical Theory ideology of getting the needs of the individual met. Whether that need is getting an education, mental health support, or a support system outside of the prison, the social worker can affect change and empowerment of these individuals. 

Critical Theory is not only concerned with the needs of the individual, however. Another goal of this theory is to empower the individual in a way that is going to be beneficial to society (Salas, Sen, & Segal, 2010). This ideology is what makes this theory appropriate for working with the prison population. In meeting the needs of these individuals, society benefits from reduced recidivism and crime rates over the long term. The individuals, it is hoped, go on to be productive and healthy members of society rather than re-offenders constantly using up resources in our courtrooms and penal facilities.

References:

Brewer, R. M., & Heitzeg, N. A. (2008). The Racialization of Crime and Punishment: Criminal Justice, Color-Blind Racism, and the Political Economy of the Prison Industrial Complex. American Behavioral Scientist, 51(5), 625-644.

Salas, L. M., Sen, S., & Segal, E. A. (2010). Critical theory: Pathway from dichotomous to integrated social work practice. Families In Society, 91(1), 91–96.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

RESPONSE 2

Respond two of your colleagues’ posts by citing substantive new research that clarifies, contextualizes, or offers an alternative interpretation of the content. If a post already has two responses, you must choose another post

Colleague 1: Johnnie

Psychopharmacological is used in mental health due to the increase of mental health issues that are related to substance abuse, alcohol or factors that contribute to mental health issues that cause for the increase dependence of medications that that accompany treatment with modality, ethical, efficient, and effective practice (Dziegielwski, 2011).  Even in the mental health setting, where there are social workers it is imperative to require knowledge of the intervention of psychopharmacological treatments, their interactions and the effects related to the psychopharmacological interventions.

The psychopharmacological interventions has become important even when being implemented with dependent children of the court (foster children) due to the trauma  in their lives, which mental health is involved in providing services, which involves the social workers working with mental health professional that require knowledge of medications that is being provided to the aforementioned children.  This is why is important for psychopharmacology in mental health services to be knowledgeable and be aware of how medication can affect people based upon their diagnosis (Preston, O’Neal and Talaga, 2017.  

References

OxfordBilographies.com (2011).  Psychopharmacology and Social Work Practice. Retrieved from www.oxfordbibliographies.com

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Colleague 2: Paula

 An example of a psychopharmacological interventions is needed can be with a Bipolar client. A client with Bipolar disorder can benefit from the combination of medication and counseling to treat their symptoms and begin the process of counseling. Clients who have a combination of psychopharmacological interventions and counseling have better outcomes and long lasting treatment results (Laureate Education, 2012). The clinician works closely with the psychiatrist and prescribing physician to better manage the disorder with mood-stabilizing drugs that aids the client from feeling the highs of mania and the lows of depression.

     The mental health professional’s role is to provide collaborative care, counseling and medication management. Other roles that the clinician can take are, to be an organizer, participant or consultant. Counselors should be present in meetings and serve as facilitators.

Reference:

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). The role of the mental health professional in psychopharmacological intervention [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Lichtblau, Leonard (2010-03-22). Psychopharmacology Demystified (Page 46). Cengage Textbook. Kindle Edition. 

RESPONSE 3

Respondto at least one of your colleagues' postings and explain what other strategy you might suggest to your colleague. Include the latest research to support your strategy.

Colleague 1: Angela

The example I provided in week one discussion is the example of a substance abuse counselor. As a substance abuse counselor treating opiate addiction with Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT), we frequently have to coordinate care through the use of information releases where the sharing of the patients health information is vital to their recovery and in some cases their lives.

Coordinating care with patients primary care physicians, or psychiatrists where benzodiazepam prescriptions can be given to patients is important information when those prescriptions can interfere with their MMT. The combination of methadone and benzodiazepam can be deadly. This is why providers who prescribe this medication need to made aware that their patient is also receiving treatment for opiate addiction. At times providers may not be willing to share this information expeditiously, at that point the patients MMT can be delayed placing the patient at a higher risk for relapse. When this situation occurs, at my place of employment we have determined best practice for the patient is to plan ahead for situations such as these by ensuring all releases are in order ahead of time to prepare for information delays, and running prescription medication checks on patients to verify that patients are not filling prescriptions  from providers without disclosing the information.

One of the areas I would like to explore further is addiction, and trauma and how they relate to psychopharmacology. As my LCSW concentration will be with trauma victims, and addiction can related to untreated traumatic experiences. 

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012h). The role of the mental health professional in psychopharmacological intervention [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.