The New Social Worker Vol. 20, No. 4, Fall 2013 | Page 27
York Times, Allen Frances (2013) says:
“We badly need a conversation about a
diagnostic system that is far too loose, a
drug industry that is far too unregulated,
and a mental health system that is badly
broken.” Frances calls for a congressional
investigation.
I see the social work profession, one
committed to necessary social action, as a
leader in this call. We can organize within
our local chapters of the NASW so that
all social workers have a voice and that as
further editions of the DSM evolve, those
voices will be heard and valued.
Together, you and I can continuously emphasize the urgency of this necessary approach to therapy and healing—
one that recognizes the complexities of
each life and reflects deep respect for the
innate capacities and potential of each
human being to live a full, fulfilling, and
meaningful life.
References
Frances, A. (2012). DSM5 in distress: The
DSM’s impact on mental health and practice.
Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.
psychologytoday.com/blog/dsm5-in-distress/201212/dsm-5-is-guide-not-bible-ignoreits-ten-worst-changes.
Frances, A. (2013, March 24). Letter to the
editor. The New York Times.
Grohol, J. M. (2011). Mental health professionals: U.S. statistics. Psych Central. Retrieved
from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2011/
mental-health-professionals-us-statistics/
Smullens, S. K. (2003, Fall). Developing an
emotional sense of direction: A therapeutic
model for the treatment of emotional abuse.
Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association,
6 (3), 17-21.
Smullens, S. K. (2010). The codification and
treatment of emotional abuse in structured
group therapy. International Journal of Group
Psychotherapy, 60 (1), 111-130.
Wakefield, J. C. (2013). DSM-5 and clinical
social work: Mental disorder and psychological justice as goals of clinical intervention.
Clinical Social Work Journal, 43, 131-138.
SaraKay Smullens, MSW, LCSW, CGP, CFLE,
BCD, whose private and pro bono clinical social
work practice is in Philadelphia, is a certified group
psychotherapist and family life educator. She is a
recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from
the Pennsylvania chapter of NASW, and the 2013
NASW Media Award for Best Article. SaraKay is
the best-selling author of Whoever Said Life Is
Fair and Setting YourSelf Free.
Book Excerpt
Content, Process, and Boundary
An excerpt from Beginnings, Middles, & Ends: Sideways
Stories on the Art & Soul of Social Work
by Ogden W. Rogers, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSW
I
pulled aside the curtain. The patient was
lying on the gurney, bandaged in several
places and on an IV.
“Hi. How can I help you?”
“I’m not sure how. I don’t know that I need
help from you.”
“Ahh. OK. Let me start again. What brings
you here today?”
She laughed. “Ahh, an ambulance?”
I stepped back and bowed my head. “No.
You are absolutely right. I’m in a hurry and I’ve
started this all wrong. Please allow me to begin
again.”
I knocked on the door. “Hello? Mrs. Hamline? I’m Mr. Rogers. I’m a social worker here
in the Emergency Department. Dr. Macalester
told me that he’s spoken with you about being
admitted to the surgical unit, and he told me that
you have concerns about your children at home.
I’m wondering if we could talk together. Is there
anything I can do to assist you?”
She smiled back. “Hello, Mr. Rogers. I’m Arella Hamline. I’m also a social
worker at City Department of Social Services. I am glad you’re here. I’ve apparently been in a serious auto accident, and they’re going to admit me to the hospital,
and I might go to the operating room tonight. I was on my way home from work. )5?????????????????????????????????????????$??????e????????????)???????????$?????????????????????????????????????????????????$????)???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????$?????e?)??????????????????'?e????????$?????e??????????????t($+?q5??!????????????????????????????????????1?????????????????????)???????????????????????????'?e????????????????t($)M????????????q%?e???????????????????????????????t($)???? ??????????M??????????)
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