100312: Psychodynamic Social Work

About the Course:

This course explores the various psychodynamic theories and their connection to social work practice. Beginning with the various psychoanalytic and social work theorists who developed practice interventions appropriate to various practice specialty, this work traces the evolution of social work practice. It includes short and long term therapy and work with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.

Author

Jerrold R. Brandell

About the Author:

Jerrold R. Brandell, Ph.D. is professor and chairperson of the graduate concentration in interpersonal practice at Wayne State University School of Social Work, where he was recently named a Distinguished Faculty Fellow. A practicing clinical social worker and psychoanalyst, he is the author or editor of six books, including Celluloid Couches, Cinematic Clients: Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in the Movies, Of Mice and Metaphors: Therapeutic Storytelling with Children, and Theory and Practice in Clinical Social Work, he also edits the journal Psychoanalytic Social Work.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially social wokers psychologists, counselors and nurses who seek knowledge about theory and intervention strategies. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. To understand the unique relationship between social work and psychoanalysis.

2. To differentiate various dynamic models of psychosocial development and dysfunction.

3. To develop strategies for beginning therapy and establishing a relationship between therapist and client.

4. To understand how the client’s transference and therapist’s countertransference may be used to clinical advantage.

5. To explore of the clinical process from dynamic assessment through termination, including the management of client resistance to treatment as a central challenge.

6. To describe methods and techniques for treating children and adolescents.

7. To understand the uses of brief and time-limited therapy and dynamically oriented case management.