CPHSSWCE0496 - Ethical Integration of Religion & Spirituality into Social Work Practice with Persons Navigating a Loved One’s Death

Course Description

Social workers often feel comfortable discussing religion/spirituality with bereaved adults during the initial assessment phase, while limitations exist in their comfort with the "how to" aspect of ethically integrating the domain across therapeutic processes. Drawing on the Code of Ethics, this case-based course outlines best practices for integrating a bereaved adult's religion/spiritual beliefs and values across treatment. Discussions of Forester-Miller and Davis' Seven-Step Model for ethical decision-making in relation to professional self-awareness will occur in fostering competence. Participants will apply the profession's ethical principles, best practices, and Model to practice through case study analyses. Social workers across practice settings inevitably encounter persons navigating a loved one's death. Given the context, nation's rising older adult population, and growing rate of individuals with life-limiting conditions, Medical and Clinical Social Workers increasingly engage with bereaved adults from the bedside to therapy office. Attendees will advance their knowledge of the Code of Ethics guidelines on integrating religion/spirituality across therapeutic processes in enhancing the well-being of bereaved adults. The “how to” focus of the course offers best practices in holistic intervention equally relevant across practice settings. Moreover, attendees will gain self-awareness skills pertinent to ethical practice through the professional reflection activity, case study analyses, and application of Forester-Miller and Davis' Seven-Step Model.

Course Outline

Learner Outcomes

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Notes

Instructor Biography: Julie A. Guistwite, PhD, LSW, FT, CSW is the owner of Ripple of Light Bereavement Resource Center, LLC. She is an Advanced Certified Thanatologist, Certified Social Work Manager, and Pennsylvania Licensed Social Worker with 20 years of professional experience in geriatric health, hospice, and funeral home settings. Dr. Guistwite has more than a decade of higher education instructor expertise and over six years of virtual professional development presenter experience. She authored an undergraduate palliative care and bereavement course and has taught courses on end-of-life care, older adulthood, and healthcare policy. She developed the first known scale to evaluate and refine social workers’ expertise in death, dying, and bereavement care. Dr. Guistwite's areas of expertise include spirituality and health, thanatology, and health equity.