As social workers, we serve in diverse settings, many of which can be prone to high stress and conflict. It can be tough when a client, family member, or colleague expresses intense emotions or conveys their needs as criticism or a demand. Our social work education prepares us to use active listening and respond with empathy. Yet, when emotions run high, we may find ourselves resorting to communication habits such as becoming defensive with and judging others. These reactions exacerbate an already difficult situation, weakening our collaborative relationships with persons served and colleagues, and can even result in formal complaints. In this session, we’ll consider various social work practice scenarios that illustrate these conflict engagement patterns. Drawing on our understanding of human behavior in the social environment and our commitment to the NASW Code of Ethics, we’ll explore how application of Nonviolent Communication principles can strengthen empathy for ourselves and others amid conflict; support our emotional self-regulation during these high-stress interactions; and enhance our capacity to transform conflictual communications into collaborative dialogue with clients, families, and colleagues.

The NASW Code of Ethics leaves it to the best judgment of the social worker to determine whether to accept a gift from a client.  This can leave social workers uncertain about where their line is.  What goes into that determination? Is just setting a hard and fast "no gifts" policy the best course of action? After a brief presentation, participants will go into breakout rooms with ethical dilemma case scenarios to work through the ethical decision making process.

This workshop explores the nuances of clinical supervision and the importance of understand the roles of a supervisor and supervisee, and how it directly impacts the future of social works and mental health clinicians. Together, we will explore common and less common ethical and legal risks that you may face as a supervisor and explore ways to manage these risks while protecting yourself, the client and teaching the supervisee at the same time. We will also explore how we can have difficult conversations with supervisees and how to support growth while giving both positive and constructive feedback.