Valuing Diverse Perspectives in Social Work from edX

Social workers and helpers have an ethical responsibility to practice self-awareness and to explore how their own historical or current experiences and biases impact their worldview and behavior as a foundation for doing good work with diverse populations in diverse contexts. Trauma is widespread and crosses all socioeconomic, racial, and geographic boundaries. It's important for social workers to know how to work effectively with diverse individuals, families and communities that have experienced historical trauma and present day trauma and stressors.

Learners will be provided information and insight on decolonizing trauma, which helps to expand our understanding of diverse ways of knowing and being in the world and nurtures critical thinking around the systems and interventions we have in place and how and if they are working and are effective for all populations. It is also essential to learn about, cultivate, and practice self-care as we do good work with others to ensure that we do no harm to ourselves or those we help through re-traumatization. In this course the concept of wellness is weaved throughout the course and is looked at as a life-long journey that we are all on, both individually and collectively.

Wellness is about health, healing, growth, reflection, connection, relationships, awareness, practice, and much more. In this course learners will have an opportunity to practice wellness tools and strategies. The material in this course may be emotional or overwhelming, therefore, it’s important to cultivate wellness tools so that we can support ourselves through navigating life’s challenges. On the flip side this course is also likely to inspire and empower you and uplift you as we learn about the strength and resilience of the human spirit. This course will guide you toward being a more compassionate, mindful, healthy helper.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Examine trauma and wellness through a decolonized lens.
Examine your own cultural backgrounds and identities to increase awareness of personal assumptions, values, and biases.

Recognize the benefits of wellness tools to regulate the nervous system and create balance in life.
Apply wellness strategies and tools to your own work and life.

Examine trauma and wellness through a decolonized lens.
Examine your own cultural backgrounds and identities to increase awareness of personal assumptions, values, and biases.
Recognize the benefits of wellness tools to regulate the nervous system and create balance in life.
Apply wellness strategies and tools to your own work and life.

Syllabus

Week 1: Decolonizing Trauma Work

Week 2: Historical Trauma – Historical Wellness: An Indigenous Perspective

Week 3: Diverse Voices: Varied Experiences of Trauma and Wellness

Week 4: Relationality and Relational Accountability – The therapeutic Alliance

Week 5: Impacts of the Changing Climate on Trauma and Wellness

Week 6: Linking Theory to Practice – Moving Forward with New Insights

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches diverse perspectives on trauma and wellness, expanding learners' understanding of different experiences

Emphasizes self-awareness and promotes critical thinking about biases and assumptions

Provides practical wellness tools and strategies to support learners' self-care and well-being while working with diverse populations

Examines the impacts of historical and current trauma on individuals, families, and communities, enhancing learners' understanding of trauma's wide-reaching effects

Covers topics such as relationality, the therapeutic alliance, and the changing climate, providing a multifaceted view of trauma and wellness

Explores the concept of decolonizing trauma, fostering critical thinking about systems and interventions and their effectiveness across diverse populations

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Valuing Diverse Perspectives in Social Work with these activities:

Watch TED Talks or documentaries on trauma and resilience

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Watching TED Talks or documentaries on related topics will provide you with additional perspectives and insights on trauma and resilience, and will help you develop a deeper understanding of the course material.

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Identify relevant TED Talks or documentaries
Watch the selected TED Talks or documentaries

Review 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Bessel van der Kolk

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of trauma on the body and mind, and offers strategies for healing and recovery, which will be relevant to the course material.

View The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes
Summarize key concepts

Develop and implement a self-care plan

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Creating a self-care plan and implementing it throughout the course will help you maintain your own well-being while engaging with the course material and working with clients.

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Identify areas in your life where you need more self-care
Develop specific strategies for self-care in each area

Two other activities

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Participate in a peer support group for social workers

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Participating in a peer support group will provide you with a safe and supportive space to connect with other social workers and share experiences, which can contribute to your overall well-being as a helper.

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Identify a local or online peer support group for social workers
Attend group meetings regularly and actively participate in discussions
Provide peer support to other members of the group

Volunteer at a local trauma center or community organization

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Volunteering will provide you with firsthand experience working with individuals and communities affected by trauma, and will help you develop practical skills in trauma-informed care.

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Research local organizations and identify a suitable volunteer opportunity
Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities

Career center

Learners who complete Valuing Diverse Perspectives in Social Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Worker

Social workers are advocates for individuals, families, and communities, helping people to navigate challenges and achieve well-being. This course provides a strong foundation in understanding and working with diverse populations, addressing issues such as trauma, identity, and wellness, which are essential skills for social workers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Therapist

Therapists provide support and guidance to individuals, couples, and families, helping them to improve their mental health and well-being. This course can be helpful for therapists, as it provides insights into the impact of trauma and cultural factors on mental health, and promotes the use of wellness strategies to support clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Therapist

Counselor

Counselors provide support and guidance to individuals, helping them to address personal, social, and emotional challenges. This course can be beneficial for counselors, as it provides a framework for understanding and working with diverse populations, and emphasizes the importance of wellness and self-care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Community Health Worker

Community health workers provide health education and support to communities, focusing on improving health outcomes and promoting well-being. This course can be valuable for community health workers, as it provides insights into the social determinants of health, the impact of trauma, and the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to health care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Health Worker

Case Manager

Case managers provide support and coordination of services for individuals with complex needs, such as those experiencing homelessness, mental illness, or chronic health conditions. This course can be helpful for case managers, as it emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the social determinants of health, cultural factors, and the use of wellness strategies to support clients.

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Mental Health Counselor

Mental health counselors provide support and guidance to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. This course may be useful for mental health counselors, as it provides insights into the impact of trauma on mental health, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the use of wellness strategies to support clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Counselor

School Counselor

School counselors provide support and guidance to students, helping them to navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges. This course may be useful for school counselors, as it provides a framework for understanding and working with diverse populations, and emphasizes the importance of wellness and self-care for both students and counselors.

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Social Justice Advocate

Social justice advocates work to promote social and economic justice, addressing issues such as poverty, discrimination, and inequality. This course can be valuable for social justice advocates, as it provides a framework for understanding the impact of trauma and oppression on individuals and communities, and emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approaches to advocacy.

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Health Educator

Health educators provide information and support to individuals and communities to promote health and well-being. This course may be useful for health educators, as it emphasizes the importance of understanding the social determinants of health, the impact of trauma, and the use of culturally sensitive approaches to health education.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct studies to investigate social and health issues. This course can be helpful for researchers, as it provides insights into the importance of understanding and addressing the social determinants of health, the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, and the use of culturally sensitive and trauma-informed research methods.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze public policies to inform decision-making. This course can be valuable for policy analysts, as it provides a framework for understanding the impact of policies on diverse populations, the importance of trauma-informed approaches to policymaking, and the use of wellness strategies to support policy analysts in their work.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations, working to achieve the organization's mission. This course may be beneficial for nonprofit managers, as it provides insights into the social determinants of health, the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, and the importance of culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approaches to leadership and management.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and inclusion managers work to create and promote inclusive workplaces, ensuring that all employees are treated with respect and dignity. This course may be useful for diversity and inclusion managers, as it provides a framework for understanding the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the use of wellness strategies to support employees.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the recruitment, training, and development of employees. This course may be beneficial for human resources managers, as it provides a framework for understanding the impact of trauma on employees, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the use of wellness strategies to support employees in the workplace.

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Educator

Educators teach and support students in a variety of settings, from preschool through college. This course may be useful for educators, as it provides a framework for understanding the impact of trauma on students, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the use of wellness strategies to support students in the classroom.

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