Course Description – 1.5 Clinical Continuing Education Credit Hours
Format: Asynchronous (Recorded) Distance Format
Clinical social workers Matt Watson, Zander Keig, and Amanda Smith delve into the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and its application in social work. They discuss the importance of dialectical thinking in navigating emotional complexities, the significance of validation in relationships, and the necessity of self-care for social workers. The conversation emphasizes the relevance of DBT skills in managing conflict and fostering understanding in diverse social work settings, ultimately advocating for a more compassionate and effective approach to social work practice. DBT has great potential to to promote dialogue across differences and integrate competing principles and viewpoints.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dialectical Social Work
02:50 Amanda’s Journey in Mental Health
05:50 Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
08:36 The Evolution of DBT and Its Applications
11:43 Dialectical Thinking and Its Relevance
14:35 Clinical Assumptions in DBT
17:48 Applying DBT Principles to Social Work
20:39 The Importance of Support for Social Workers
23:20 Navigating Dialectics in Conversations
26:41 Finding the Middle Path in Conflicts
29:11 Respect and Understanding in Social Work
32:13 Social Justice and Dialectical Thinking
46:36 The Importance of Open Dialogue
49:03 Validation in Social Work
55:19 Strategies for Effective Validation
01:00:24 Navigating Conflict and Differences
01:08:14 The Role of Validation in Problem Solving
01:10:20 Understanding Validation and Its Misconceptions
01:13:43 Coping with Emotional Dysregulation
01:18:04 Finding Support as Social Workers
01:21:22 Self-Determination in Social Work Practice
Takeaways
DBT is an evidence-based treatment effective for various populations.
Dialectical thinking helps navigate complex emotional situations.
Social workers need to practice self-care to be effective.
Validation does not equal agreement; it acknowledges others’ perspectives.
Conflict is a natural part of social work; managing it is essential.
Practicing DBT skills can enhance emotional regulation.
Social workers should seek support from colleagues and supervisors.
Understanding different perspectives fosters healthier relationships.
Self-determination is crucial for both clients and social workers.
Dialectical thinking can help in navigating social justice issues.
Course Info:
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 October 14, 2025.
It is intended for a beginning to intermediate social worker audience. Other helping professionals may also find the content relevant to their practice.
Social workers seeking continuing education credit may learn more by going to ProSocialWorkers.com
Credits:
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Course: The Dialectical Social Worker: ProSocial Work in Practice
Credit: 1.5 Clinical 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:
- Explain dialectical thinking to enhance emotional regulation and foster dialogue across differences in social work practice.
- Demonstrate Dialectical-Behavior-Therapy (DBT)-based validation strategies to support clients, colleagues, and self within complex and emotionally charged environments.
- Present DBT clinical assumptions and distress tolerance skills to promote resilience, ethical self-care, and professional growth among social workers.
Course Presenters:
- Amanda L. Smith, LCSW is an intensively trained dialectical behavior therapist, author, and advocate for compassionate mental health care. She began her career as executive director of NAMI Pinellas County, Florida, and later founded the Florida Borderline Personality Disorder Association to expand access to evidence-based treatment. Amanda created Hope for BPD to connect individuals with borderline traits to professional support and publishes My Dialectical Life, a daily DBT skills email. She is the author of The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Wellness Planner and the forthcoming Self-Compassion Workbook for BPD. Through her teaching, writing, and clinical work, Amanda empowers social workers and clients alike to navigate emotional complexity, foster dialogue across differences, and build lives worth living.
- Matthew Watson is the executive director of ProSocial Workers, an affiliate of the Institute for Liberal Values, dedicated to promoting viewpoint and political diversity in social work practice and education. He is a seasoned mental health advisor and licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience. He provides competent, compassionate care and strategic leadership where he has excelled in direct service provider, management, and executive roles. Matthew has a documented history of building high-performing teams, improving outcomes, identifying individual strengths, and mentoring others. Matthew’s philosophy is that sustainable results emerge from the development of people, believing that strong, talented individuals are the ultimate outcome of effective leadership. His interests reflect a deep commitment to civic and ethical engagement, including voluntary service organizations, viewpoint diversity, religious liberty, and the integration of differing perspectives.
- Zander Keig is an award-winning social worker, best-selling author, social care educator, and motivational speaker with many distinguishing accolades, including 2023 Caregiving.com LGBTQ Advocate of the Year, 2020 NASW National Social Worker of the Year, 2020 WPATH Harry Benjamin Distinguished Educator of the Year, and 2018 NASW CA Social Worker of the Year. Zander has earned a BA in Interpersonal Communication (1999), an MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (2003), an MTS in Theological Systems (2004), and an MSW in Clinical Social Work (2012). He has delivered conflict mitigation, social care, diversity and inclusion, and emotional well-being workshops for over 30 years. Zander hosts the Umbrella Hour podcast on the UK Health Radio Network. His best-selling book is The Third Space: A Nonconformist’s Guide to the Universe (Thought Leader Press, 2024), available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
Course Materials:
Watch the Podcast/Video for free on YouTube, or for use the link below for continuing education credit.
Course References/Bibliography:
- Mossini, M. (2024). Efficacy of dialectical behavioral therapy skills in addressing emotional dysregulation among adolescents: A systematic literature review. International Journal on Social and Education Sciences, 6(3), 439–451. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.684
- Cooper, B., & Parsons, J. (2019). Dialectical behaviour therapy: A social work intervention? Journal of Mental Health Practice, 12(2), 45–58. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335231703
- Conley, C. D. (2022). What happens in social workers’ delivery of dialectical behavior therapy? An exploratory comparative analysis of preparation, implementation fidelity, and knowledge. University of Alabama School of Social Work Capstone Project. https://ir.ua.edu/handle/123456789/8503
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 using the links below. 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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