Author: Will
-
When Understanding the Problem Is the Problem
Read more: When Understanding the Problem Is the ProblemSome clients come in already knowing too much. Nathaniel was 38, a high school assistant principal, and he had been to the emergency room three times in four months convinced he was having a heart attack. Each time, the workup came back clean. His physician diagnosed panic disorder and referred him to therapy. By the…
-
Preventing Burnout and Secondary Trauma in Social Work
Read more: Preventing Burnout and Secondary Trauma in Social WorkYou picked this field because you care. That’s not a weakness — but it is a risk factor. Social workers carry other people’s pain as part of the job description. Crisis calls, trauma disclosures, chronic grief, impossible systems — the emotional weight accumulates whether you’re tracking it or not. And when it goes unaddressed long…
-
From “What’s Wrong With You?” to “What Happened to You?”
Read more: From “What’s Wrong With You?” to “What Happened to You?”Stephanie had been working at the domestic violence shelter for three years when the organization decided to become “trauma-informed.” At first, she wondered what would change — weren’t they already helping trauma survivors? But as she learned more, she began to see her work differently. She noticed how clients positioned themselves in the common room,…
-
Staying Calm When They’re Not: De-Escalation Techniques for Social Workers
Read more: Staying Calm When They’re Not: De-Escalation Techniques for Social WorkersTyler bursts into the waiting room, face red with anger: “This is bullshit! I’ve been waiting forty-five minutes and nobody’s told me anything! Where the hell is my social worker!” The waiting room stiffens. Conversations stop mid-sentence. Situations like this require immediate de-escalation skills that can mean the difference between a productive session and a…
-
What is the difference between NASW and ASWB?
Read more: What is the difference between NASW and ASWB?Social workers mix these up constantly, and it’s understandable — both are national organizations, both use the same initials pattern, and both show up constantly in conversations about licensure and professional development. But they do fundamentally different things, and confusing them can create real problems when it comes to your license. Here’s what you actually…
-
What Veterans Need From You in the First 20 Minutes
Read more: What Veterans Need From You in the First 20 MinutesMost veterans decide whether therapy is worth their time before the first session ends. That’s not cynicism — it’s how military culture works. When you’ve spent years in an environment that values directness, mission focus, and demonstrated competence, you size people up fast. Veterans walk into your office doing exactly that. Here’s the context worth…
-
How Much Should Social Workers Pay for Continuing Education? A Realistic Breakdown
Read more: How Much Should Social Workers Pay for Continuing Education? A Realistic BreakdownThe short answer: probably less than you’re paying now. Continuing education is a non-negotiable cost of keeping your license, which means CE providers know you’re coming back whether you love their content or not. That dynamic doesn’t always produce competitive pricing. But the market has shifted enough in the last few years that paying a…
-
Top Continuing Education Topics for Social Workers in 2026
Read more: Top Continuing Education Topics for Social Workers in 2026Your renewal deadline doesn’t care about your caseload. Neither does the licensing board. But somewhere between the compliance pressure and the genuine desire to be better at your job, most social workers want CE courses that actually means something — content that changes how you think about a client, not just boxes you check. With…
-
Social Work CE Requirements by State: Complete 2026 Guide
Read more: Social Work CE Requirements by State: Complete 2026 GuideDISCLAIMER: CE requirements vary by license level and change frequently. Requirements may differ for initial licensure versus renewal. Verify requirements with your state licensing board before planning your renewal. Understanding Social Work CE Requirements Across the United States Social work CE requirements reflect each state’s priorities for professional development, public protection, and practice standards. Some…
-
How to Choose CEs That Actually Improve Your Practice
Read more: How to Choose CEs That Actually Improve Your PracticeMost social workers don’t struggle to find continuing education. They struggle to find CEs that feel worth the time. You finish a course, download the certificate, and then… nothing really changes. Your work looks the same. Your decision-making feels the same. The CE met a requirement, but it didn’t move the needle. That’s not a…