inSocialWork - The Podcast Series of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work

In this episode, author and journalist Robert Whitaker discusses what he has discovered through study of the evidence that is utilized to guide the treatment of psychiatric illness. With a critical eye, he describes the paradoxes in the conventional wisdom and practice in this field and how faithfully "following the evidence" would transform care for the drug-based treatment of mental illness.

In this episode, Dr. Caitlin Ryan discusses the challenges of breaking ground in new areas of research, especially work that may be considered controversial, and what it takes to do work that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. The conversation ends with advice for those interested in following similar lines of research.

In this episode, Dr. Leopoldo Cabassa discusses his research and development of culturally competent interventions for Latinos experiencing mental health issues. He describes his motivation to work with the Latino community and the social work practice implications in developing mental health literacy tools for them.

This is the second of two episodes on spiritually and older women survivors of interpersonal trauma. Dr. Bowland discusses emergent themes such as forgiveness, isolation, and strength in the midst of struggle. Dr. Bowland also notes the utility of a feminist critique of the harmful and helpful aspects of faith traditions in relation to the experience of interpersonal trauma and the need to make space for discussions of religion in social work.

In this episode, Dr. Lani V. Jones discusses her research in the area of evidence-based practice with a focus on psychosocial competence, group work, and positive mental health outcomes with Black women accessing services in mental health settings.

Dr. Sharon Bowland discusses a spiritually-based, psycho-social intervention for older women survivors of interpersonal trauma. In this first of two episodes, Dr. Bowland describes the intervention and reports on the positive mental health and spiritual well-being outcomes.

In this final episode of a three-part series, Dr. Mo Yee Lee address some of the challenges and opportunities of applying the integrative approach in social work research and practice. She explores some of the common misperceptions about meditation and eastern practices, and the role that education and information can play in an accurate adoption of these practices. Dr. Lee highlights issues of empowerment, helping people to help themselves, and the role of complementary interventions in this area to build on our existing knowledge base for practice.

In this episode, Dr. Elisabeth Reichert traces the history of the human rights movement and addresses the role of social work in that movement. She discusses the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, political, civil, social, and economic rights, and women's rights, and compares the concepts of universal verses culturally relative human rights. She concludes with a discussion of the role of international education and improved understanding of human rights.

In this second of three episodes, Dr. Mo Yee Lee discusses her research with female trauma survivors , many of whom are dually diagnosed, homeless, and exhibiting symptoms of PTSD. She introduces a meditation curriculum, describes the role that self-determination and mindfulness plays for clients, and comments on research related to the physical and neurological benefits of meditation.

This episode features a conversation between Catherine Dulmus, Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Research Center Director at UB's School of Social Work, and Maria Cristalli, Hillside Family of Agencies' Chief Strategy and Quality Officer. They discuss the formation of their university - community partnership to promote research to practice and practice to research.

This is the first of three episodes in which Dr. Mo Yee Lee discusses her research and clinical work bridging social work practice and an integration of Eastern philosophy/practice with traditional Western approaches to client change. In this episode, Professor Lee introduces the core concepts of the body-mind-spirit approach and its defining characteristics as applied to practice.

Social problems have specific physical and social contexts. Dr. Claudia Coulton discusses how social work practitioners, researchers, and students can use technology such as geographic information systems (GIS) and other analytic tools to understand social problems, improve service delivery, and promote community and social development.

In this episode, Dr. Claude Welch, Jr. explains his contention that human rights can be violated as a result of economic structures. Currently, the issues involved in our response to the economic crisis and U.S. health care reform speak to our society's commitment to protect the human rights of its citizens. Dr. Welch describes the economic conditions that underlie problems such as poverty, housing, and working conditions that create inequality in a wealthy, capitalist society such as the United States.

In this podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Tracy traces the significance of social networks in social work practice, describes the types of social network interventions used by social workers, and discusses her research concerning social networks and the role of trauma and violence among women presenting with substance abuse or dual disorders.

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Craun discusses Megan's law and what she is learning about sexual offender registries' usefulness in raising awareness and protecting the public.