SoCW-6060 & 6443

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: JenniferSoCW-6060 & 6443

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

Respond to 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.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

LopesWrite Policy

For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.