ProSocial Work: A Dialogue About Dialogue

Course Description – 1 General Continuing Education Credit

Format: Asynchronous (Recorded) Distance Format

Effective social work relies on dialogue as a foundational tool for relationship-building, fostering mutual understanding, and bridging divides. This course explores the principles and practices of meaningful dialogue within social work, emphasizing its role in creating safe spaces for honest communication and advancing pluralistic, just, and democratic societies.

Dialogue serves as a powerful means to address societal challenges such as polarization and conflict, requiring practitioners to develop key skills, knowledge, and a willingness to engage with diverse perspectives. Central to successful dialogue is listening for understanding, which enhances personal growth, self-awareness, and professional competence.

By recognizing our interconnectedness, social workers can encourage pro-social behavior that benefits individuals and communities alike. Engaging in dialogue can also be seen as a form of enlightened self-interest, where mutual learning and collaboration lead to shared outcomes that strengthen both personal and societal well-being.

This course provides participants with practical strategies for dialogue-based interventions, equipping them to navigate complex conversations, foster empathy, and contribute to the creation of inclusive and supportive environments.

Matt Watson hosts Dr. David Derezotes, an expert in dialogue within social work practice. They discuss the significance of dialogue in social work practice and its relevance in addressing societal challenges. Dr. Dave shares his personal journey into dialogue, emphasizing its role in fostering understanding and cooperation among individuals and communities. The discussion covers the definitions of dialogue, its application in social work, the impact of ego on communication, and the importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue. They identify practical examples and success stories of dialogue in action, concluding with thoughts on pro-social behavior and the interconnectedness of humanity.

ProSocial Workers is a subsidiary of the Institute for Liberal Values, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting pluralistic, free, and democratic societies. The Institute for Liberal Values is ProSocial Workers’ fiscal sponsor.

This course was recorded on April 5, 2025.

It is intended for a beginning to intermediate social worker audience. Other helping professionals may also find the content relevant to their practice.

Course: ProSocial Workers: A Dialogue About Dialogue

Credit: 1.0 General Continuing Education Credits

Format: Asynchronous (Recorded) Distance

How to Access: Click on the video or podcast link in the course materials section below. The video must be played through in entirety on this website in order to substantiate that the course was completed and to earn credit. Playing through on other websites or media will not substantiate course completion.

Post-test Requirements and Retakes: Participants must respond correctly to 80% of post-test questions. Post-test retakes are unlimited. Course participants may retake the test as many times as needed to pass the course.

Course Objectives:

• Present the etiologies of political polarization.
• Identify the purpose and structure of dialogue practice.
• Present the basics of dialogue facilitation as a key social work approach.

Course Presenters:

• Matthew Watson is the missionary mental health manager of administration for the  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Missionary Department and Family Services.  He is a licensed clinical social worker and has provided therapy in a variety of settings for 29 years.  He has been employed by Family Services since 2000 as a counselor, agency manager in Georgia and Arizona, regional manager, and field group manager.  He was previously employed by Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah where he provided therapy for abused children and their families.  He started his career working with his wife as group home parents for 45 troubled girls.  They have been blessed with four sons and 3 grandchildren. 
• Dr. David (Dr. Dave) Derezotes is a Professor Emeritus of Social Work and retired Director of the Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) Program in the College of Humanities at the University of Utah. He has received many awards in teaching, service, and scholarship and has published seven textbooks and numerous articles in such topics as community mental health, dialogue, and the climate crisis. Dr Dave currently provides consultation, teaching, and counseling in his private practice, including trainings for local and regional social service and professional organizations. He also teaches in the Osher program, facilitates LCSW consultation groups, and is working on new writing projects. Finally, Dr. Dave also enjoys bicycle commuting, playing music with the “Bald Eagles” or enjoying the desert where he loves to wander and wonder in the wild beauties of Utah.

Course Materials:

Podcast/Video – ProSocial Workers: A Dialogue About Dialogue

Course References/Bibliography:

Derezotes, D. S. (2014). Transforming historical trauma through dialogue. Los Angeles: Sage. In this text you can find descriptions of the basic approaches to dialogue practice, the stages of dialogue facilitation, and knowledge skills and values for dialogue facilitators.

Derezotes, D.S. (2025). Climate change in person, community, and planet: A guide for helping professionals. Solana Beach, CA: Cognella.

Miles, J. R., & Shinew, H. J. (2022). A breakdown (and rebuilding) of intergroup dialogue. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 26(3), 274–287. https://doi.org/10.1037/gdn0000190

Nagda, B. A., & Gurin, P. (2023). How intergroup dialogue works: Critical-dialogic foundations and extensions. In C. Baik & E. R. Kahu (Eds.), Research handbook on the student experience in higher education (pp. 223–236). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802204193.00024

Course Completion Requirements (only required for those seeking continuing education credit):

1. Click on “Enroll” (above) to start the course and, if applicable, pay for the course.
2. Create a ProSocial Workers account or log in.
3. Watch the entire required podcast or video. You must watch or listen for the amount of time being credited for the course.
4. Complete a course evaluation.
5. Complete a post-test or quiz and pass with at least 80% correct responses. Retesting is allowed.
6. Download your certificate (immediately available) upon completion of the post-test/quiz.

Additional Information

1. The course is administered online. Participants will need a computer or mobile device with a stable internet connection, a modern web browser (like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), and the ability to access to ProSocialWorkers.com website.
2. Once the course has been purchased, you will have access to course content required for continuing education credit.
3. There are no refunds once the course is purchased. The course cannot be cancelled.
4. If special accommodations are needed, please email help@prosocialworkers.com.
5. ProSocial Workers, provider #2002, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: May 6, 2025 – May 6, 2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 general continuing education credits.
6. Participants assume full responsibility to ensure local jurisdictional approvals.
7. Contact help@prosocialworkers.com with any questions, concerns, or to address any of the presenters.