Mindfulness in Social Work Practice

Catalog description

This three-credit hour course introduces students to the use of mindfulness practice in social work. Mindfulness techniques are helpful for social work practice, both to support the social worker in effective practice, and to teach to clients to improve their outcomes. Mindfulness therapies have become very popular in various social work settings, because of their range and adaptability. Mindfulness can be used at all levels of social work practice: micro, mezzo, and macro. There is a growing need for social work practitioners to understand the philosophical and historical base for these interventions to be able to use them effectively. This course provides an overview to develop understanding of the nature and history of mindfulness practice and the impact mindfulness has had on the social work field. This course provides students with opportunities to develop therapeutic skills and explore the ways mindfulness can facilitate social work practice through various therapeutic models and techniques. Theoretical framework(s), process, and practice methodology will be discussed. The course will include experiential activities to support student understanding and ability to apply their learning. The course will use a trauma-informed lens to ground the use of mindfulness techniques in social work practice. Students will learn about how to use mindfulness at all levels of practice: micro, mezzo, and macro. Through the class assignments, students will develop a deeper understanding of mindfulness in a specific setting or with a specific population or area of intervention that is of interest to them. Prereq: SASS 508 and SASS 509 .