Course Description – 1 Clinical Continuing Education Credit Hour
Format: Asynchronous (Recorded) Distance Format
Matthew Watson and Dr. David Derozotes explore the significance of dialogue in social work, particularly in clinical practice. They discuss how dialogue can bridge differences, foster relationships, and create inclusive communities. The conversation delves into the skills required for effective dialogue, the importance of ground rules, and the application of psychological paradigms in dialogue practice. Dr. Derozotes shares insights on internal dialogue, the dynamics of couples and family therapy, and the role of dialogue in addressing societal issues. The episode concludes with creative approaches to enhance dialogue and the potential for dialogue to transform communities.
Takeaways
- Dialogue is essential in clinical social work practice.
- Dialogue can bridge differences and foster relationships.
- The skills of dialogue are applicable across micro, meso, and macro levels.
- Facilitating dialogue requires creating a safe and inclusive space.
- Ground rules are crucial for effective dialogue.
- Listening for understanding is more important than speaking.
- Dialogue can be both a means and an end in therapeutic settings.
- Internal dialogue influences our external interactions.
- Creative approaches can enhance dialogue effectiveness.
- Dialogue can help address societal issues and promote peace.
Chapters
53:17 Creative Approaches to Break the Ice
00:00 Introduction to Dialogue in Social Work
03:33 The Importance of Dialogue in Clinical Practice
06:30 Bridging Differences through Dialogue
09:32 Understanding Dialogue Practice
12:30 Dialogue as a Means of Co-Creation
15:33 Engagement and Assessment in Dialogue
18:26 Applying Psychological Paradigms to Dialogue
21:28 Internal Dialogue and Self-Reflection
24:27 Dialogue in Couples and Family Therapy
27:24 Group Dialogue and Community Building
30:38 Ground Rules for Effective Dialogue
34:22 Creating Inclusive Communities in Education
38:30 Ground Rules for Effective Dialogue
40:29 The Art of Sharing Perspectives
44:27 Navigating Hierarchies in Dialogue
47:25 Dialogue as a Tool for Peace
49:51 Real-Life Examples of Dialogue Transformations
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 November 6, 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: Dialogue Practice in Clinical Social Work
Credit: 1.0 Clinical Continuing Education Credit Hour
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 foundations of dialogue practice in clinical social work
- Present key paradigms and modalities through which dialogue can be applied
- Present the structure, processes, and ground rules of effective dialogue facilitation
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 – Dialogue Practice in Clinical Social Work
Dr. David Derezotes relevant works (not required for CE credit):
- Derezotes, D.S. (2025). Climate change in person, community, planet. San Diego. Cognella.
- Derezotes, D.S. (2022). Inclusive social work practice. San Diego, Cognella .
- Derezotes, D.S. (2020). The Eternity dialogue: Understanding global transformation. San Diego, CA: Cognella.
- Derezotes, D.S.(2014), Transforming historical trauma through dialogue. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Two optional films reference in the podcast:
- Another Side of Peace — a 2004 documentary that follows Roni Hirshenzon (an Israeli father who lost two sons) and his work with Palestinian partners leading dialogue and reconciliation efforts
- “Two Rivers” (featured in the Toward Right Relationship program) — a short documentary used in reconciliation workshops that follows a rural community undertaking steps toward right relationship with local Indigenous peoples (this project is based in the Pacific Northwest; the Friends Peace Teams page describes the film and its use). If you recall a small-town, community-workshop kind of film, this might be it — though it’s described on the Friends Peace Teams resource and is centered in Washington state rather than Oregon.
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):
- Click on “Enroll” (above) to start the course and, if applicable, pay for the course.
- Create a ProSocial Workers account or log in.
- Watch the entire required podcast or video. You must watch or listen for the amount of time being credited for the course.
- Complete a course evaluation.
- Complete a post-test or quiz and pass with at least 80% correct responses. Retesting is allowed.
- Download your certificate (immediately available) upon completion of the post-test/quiz.
Additional Information
- 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.
- Once the course has been purchased, you will have access to course content required for continuing education credit.
- There are no refunds once the course is purchased. The course cannot be cancelled.
- If special accommodations are needed, please email help@prosocialworkers.com.
- 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.
- Participants assume full responsibility to ensure local jurisdictional approvals.
- Contact help@prosocialworkers.com with any questions, concerns, or to address any of the presenters.
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