By Willie Elliott, D.Minn., MSW The person most likely to take a self-defense course is a woman. Many of these women have been raped and/or physically or sexually abused at some point in their life. The main reason they sign up for self-defense is to learn how to...
Health & Wellness
Planning for Alzheimer’s Care
By Susan J. Harper, LSW, ACSW When to Start Planning How to Start Planning Factors to Consider in Deciding to Provide Care in the Home When to Start Planning The answer to this question, in light of the facts is very simple – now! At the very least, planning...
Phases and Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
By Susan J. Harper, LSW, ACSW Introduction The Phase Model The Staging Model The Seven Stage Model The ABC's of Alzheimer's Disease Introduction There are more than 70 known disorders that can result in dementia, including Pick's Disease, Multi-Infarct...
Eating Disorders: What You Need to Know
By Jennifer Amlen, MSW, LCSW There is no one known cause for eating disorders. However, there are several possible causes such as biological factors, socio-cultural factors, and psychological factors. Scientists have studied the genetics, biochemistry, and...
Diabetes: What you need to know
Diabetes is a group of disorders characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. All of them result from problems with insulin, a hormone that removes glucose from the blood and causes it to be stored in body cells.
Limb Loss: How Social Workers Help
By William B. Samuels, MSW It is difficult for anyone to imagine what it is like to have an amputation or "to lose a limb." Every part of a person's life is affected. It is often a struggle to heal from this loss. Yet many people with limb loss are of course living...
Women and Body Image
By Judith Matz, MSW, LCSW Negative Body Thoughts Lessons About Acceptance Negative Body Thoughts Many women are taught to translate feelings into the language of "negative body thoughts." Here's how it works (from The Diet Survivor's Handbook). Imagine you've...
How Social Workers Help Addicts Learn Stress Reduction
By Jennifer Amlen, MSW, LCSW Introduction Addicts and Stress Benefits of Stress Management How to Use Stress Reduction as a Means of Stress Management How Social Workers Can Help Individual Counseling Stress Management Groups Self-help Groups Conclusion...
What AIDS Does to a Family
By Barbara Hermie Draimin, DSW Shame, Guilt,and Stigma What Is Stigma? Pulling Together and Showing Love Karen wondered if her life would ever return to normal. Since her father got AIDS, it seemed that everything had changed. Even her grandmother, who had been...
The Emotional Impact of a Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis
A diagnosis of chronic kidney disease can be overwhelming. It is common to have strong emotions when faced with the reality of needing to start dialysis.
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Recent Articles
A Letter to LGBTQIA2S+ Kids, Youth from Social Workers
We write this letter to LGBTQIA2S+ kids and youth to express deep gratitude that you exist, because our world would be incomplete without you. We honor the richness of your authenticity and openly proclaim that you are perfect exactly as you are. Ralph Waldo Emerson...
Ask a Social Worker: My son is being bullied
My 12-year-old son is getting bullied in school. He is not very athletic or popular but excels in his classes and band. But I’m worried. He complains he is sick more and wants to stay home instead of going to class. I think he is depressed. Some of the bullying may be...
Ask a Social Worker: My son is threatening suicide
At the beginning of the pandemic, my son, who dropped out of college, became really withdrawn. He is now threatening to commit suicide. We called a hotline and they suggested family therapy. But my partner, his father, doesn’t believe him. He thinks he’s manipulating...