Summer 2023 MSW Credit Course Electives

Current UB SSW students: Register through the Hub Student Center in the same manner that you register for all other classes.

Not a current UB SSW student? (Non-Degree or Non-Matriculated Students): Apply for non-degree status, which must be completed prior to registration. This requires proof of immunization status if not already on file at UB.

Billing is sent electronically to your buffalo.edu email address. Paper bills are no longer mailed by UB. If you do not check your buffalo.edu email and pay your tuition bill on time, you will be charged late fees by UB.

Review the in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees.

Field Educators with SUNY Tuition Waivers may use the waivers to pay for tuition costs. Waivers do not cover standard course fees or the nondegree application fee. For more information call the MSW Field Education Office at 716-645-1234 or email sw-field@buffalo.edu.

• The Buffalo Niagara Summer Institute courses are considered non-standard courses. Please refer to the Office of the Registrar's non-standard session dates for add/drop dates. 
• Full attendance is required for credit. 
  

This program will provide in-depth training in evidence based treatments for youth experiencing depression, suicidal ideation/urges, anxiety and trauma. Whether your young client is struggling with depression, suicidal urges, anxiety or the effects of trauma, these youth friendly tools will help your client learn essential skills to manage and build a healthy life. 

Through the use of structured therapeutic activities, client handouts and worksheets attendees will learn how to implement a variety of interventions with youth such as: CBT case conceptualization; mindfulness practices; non-judgmental self-awareness & mood monitoring; behavioral activation; cognitive processing & restructuring; imagino & and in-vivo exposure therapy; distress tolerance; social skills training; prolonged exposure; trauma narrative; suicide risk assessment and safety planning; behavioral chain analysis, how to quell Autonomic Nervous System arousal; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as Positive Psychology interventions such as “what went well today”, gratitude & self-compassion and many more.

This training will provide a valuable set of clinical tools to complement traditional CBT interventions and enhance your clinical competency with youth. 

This course is an introduction to the principles, strategies, and the spirit of the Motivational Interviewing (MI) approach to help clients build commitment and reach a decision to change problematic behaviors. The theoretical basis of MI lies in the construct of “ambivalence” and the conflict between indulgence and restraint that is so prevalent when clients consider behavior change. The difficulty in changing problematic behaviors is an occurrence that extends well beyond “addictive behaviors.” The immobilizing effects of ambivalence can be seen in many practice spheres. In addition, the course will discuss MI’s application to practice with “mandated” and “resistant” clients.

This course will focus on using Dialectical Behavior Therapy theory and interventions to assess and intervene with problematic behavior patterns including behaviors associated with suicidality and self-harm, substance use, and impaired functioning. Marsha Linehan’s theory, psychoeducational material, and phases of treatment will be reviewed and practiced with didactic and experiential methods.

This intermediate level course is designed for students and practitioners who have some training in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and have applied basic skills with a client population.  Building upon the Spirit of MI and understanding of ambivalence and stages of change, the course will explore ways of responding to challenging conversations and focusing conversations. Using advanced moves with the basic strategies of Open Questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries, we will practice tipping the scales of sustain talk to the direction of change talk. Training activities will focus on understanding the role of trauma and trauma-informed care during assessment and planning phases, giving advice in an MI-adherent style, and supporting clients for action steps toward their goals. Participants will also learn about the role of trauma in conflict and responding to upset and angry clients. We will approach MI content from a trauma-informed perspective, combining trauma informed approaches with MI for working with marginalized populations.

Prerequisite:

This is an intermediate level course. Previous coursework or continuing education in Motivational Interviewing that prepared the learner with the foundational theories in the Spirit of MI, Stages of Change, and an introduction to the OARS, and either client or peer practice with the techniques, is required. We will build on this foundational practice.

This is a skill focused course on how to assess and respond to adults with psychiatric emergencies where there is a risk of lethality (suicidal/homicidal/self-harm). It will include identification of high risk factors and how to conduct lethality assessments for individuals, including those who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and/or under the influence of substances. Participants will learn the levels of lethality; how to use lethality assessment tools and rating scales; how to complete documentation of services which reflect clinical assessments in accordance with the most current evidence and best practices; how to create an intervention plan for identified lethality, and when it is appropriate in professional social work practice to break confidentiality based on a current lethality assessment.