Mental Health Episodes
inSocialWork® is the podcast series of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. The purpose of this series is to engage practitioners and researchers in lifelong learning and to promote research to practice and practice to research. inSocialWork® features conversations with prominent social work professionals, interviews with cutting-edge researchers, and information on emerging trends and best practices in the field of social work.
inSocialWork® is a bi-weekly series. New episodes will be released every two weeks. Please subscribe to receive our podcasts automatically, or come back on a regular basis for new content.
Subscribe:
Subscribe directly using your preferred podcasting tool:
Or, copy and paste this URL:
The following episodes are in the *Mental Health* category:
Episode 275 - Victoria Grinman: Exploring the Possibilities and Opportunities for Post-Traumatic Growth Among Parents of Children with Autism
Interviewer: Kathleen Knaak, PhD, LMSW
Monday, November 18, 2019, 7:57:53 AM

In this episode, our guest Victoria Grinman describes the history, logistics, and aspects of post-traumatic growth, and the difference between post-traumatic growth and resilience. She discusses her research involving post-traumatic growth experiences among parents of young adult children with autism, and emphasizes the importance of training practitioners to identify the signs to post-traumatic growth as well as consider relational aspects in order to treat the family and child more holistically.
- Episode 275 - Victoria Grinman
Episode 269 - Dr. Judith Herman: Issues and Perspectives on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care in the Age of the #MeToo Movement
Interviewer: Mickey Sperlich, PhD
Monday, August 26, 2019, 9:33:26 AM

In this episode, Dr. Judith Herman discusses research on justice from the perspective of trauma survivors, how this is related to the #MeToo movement, and why individuals who are victims of abuse choose to speak out. She considers the progress and relevance of changes within DSM-5 PTSD diagnostic criteria, how chronic shame is related to dissociation and PTSD, and the consequences of forming an insecure attachment. The episode concludes by providing examples on how resilience can be built through community-based interventions and lead to more secure attachments.
- Episode 269 - Dr. Judith Herman
Episode 267 - Dr. Robert T. Muller: Working with Trauma Survivors: Therapeutic Approaches and Strategies for Promoting Posttraumatic Growth
Interviewer: Caitlin Beck
Monday, July 01, 2019, 9:30:21 AM

In this podcast, our guest Dr. Robert T. Muller describes his clinical work with individuals who have experienced trauma. He discusses why trauma survivors engage in avoidance within close relationships, why they use specific coping strategies, and challenges that can occur in psychotherapy. Using case examples, Dr. Muller illustrates several therapeutic approaches, techniques, and strategies that can be beneficial in work with trauma survivors and in promoting posttraumatic growth. He also compares his perspective to other forms of trauma work.
- Episode 267 - Dr. Robert T. Muller
Episode 257 - Jodie Bargeron: Childhood and Mid-Life Antecedents of Adult Self-Neglect
Interviewer: Ting Lee, MS
Monday, February 11, 2019, 9:16:22 AM

In this podcast, our guest Jodie Bargeron describes progressive frameworks that have shaped self-neglect (SN) research - specifically, whether SN is an old age phenomenon or life course issue, and the difference between intentional versus unintentional SN. She discusses her research pertaining to whether Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), intrusive parenting, and/or self-control are related to SN among both elderly and non-elderly adults. The episode concludes by stressing the need for social workers to treat SN from a life course perspective, and to consider the use attachment-based therapy to adequately address these behaviors and avoid adverse consequences.
- Episode 257 - Jodie Bargeron
Episode 254 - Dr. Christopher Larrison: How the Use of Apps Helps People with Mental Illness Forge Relationships and Develop Social Networks
Interviewer: Robert Keefe, PhD
Monday, December 31, 2018, 7:41:08 AM

In this episode, our guest Dr. Christopher Larrison describes his work utilizing smartphone technology to help people with mental illness connect, build relationships, and develop supportive networks. He discusses what he is learning about how smartphones can be used as a conduit to reduce clients' isolation and increase their access to useful information about themselves and their condition.
- Episode 254 - Dr. Christopher Larrison
Episode 242 - Dr. Jessica Strong: Female Service Members at War: Unique Experiences of Deployment and Reintegration
Interviewer: Lisa Butler, PhD
Monday, June 18, 2018, 7:51:08 AM

In this episode, our guest Dr. Jessica Strong describes why having a clear understanding of the unique experiences of women's combat deployment and other military experiences can inform social work practice, policy, and advocacy efforts. Our guest discusses how gender serves as a powerful context for how women talk about their combat experience, for exacerbating an already stressful experience, and for informing women's reintegration following deployment.
- Episode 242 - Dr. Jessica Strong
Episode 221 - Dr. Jennifer Cullen and Dr. Jolynn Haney: Understanding and Treating Autism in Women: Using Lived Experiences to Shape Practice
Interviewer: Gretchen Bennett, MA
Monday, August 14, 2017, 7:28:52 AM

In this episode, our guests Dr. Jennifer Cullen and Dr. Jolynn Haney discuss gender differences in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the reasons why obtaining an accurate diagnosis may be difficult for females. They describe their research involving the socialization process of women diagnosed with ASD within an online community and how social workers can more effectively assist these individuals.
- Episode 221 - Dr. Jennifer Cullen and Dr. Jolynn Haney
Episode 190 - Dr. Geoffrey Greif and Dr. Michael Woolley: Adult Sibling Relationships
Interviewer: Jacqueline McGinley
Monday, April 25, 2016, 8:18:05 AM

When addressing the topic of family therapy, the focus is generally on children or adolescents and their parents, or the marital/partner dyad. This podcast, however, looks at a different family system: adult siblings. These relationships are generally the longest relationships we have, but little is known about them. In this episode, Drs. Geoffrey Greif and Michael Woolley discuss their research on and clinical implications for adult sibling relationships.
- Episode 190 - Dr. Geoffrey Greif and Dr. Michael Woolley
Episode 188 - Dr. Rebecca Mirick: "I Think I Want to Die...": Training Practitioners to Work with People Considering Suicide
Interviewer: Carissa Uschold, LCSW-R
Monday, March 28, 2016, 7:54:53 AM

The World Health Organization estimates that over 800,000 people die by suicide each year. Social workers often find themselves working in settings where suicide and parasuicidal behavior are of ongoing and significant concern and, therefore, are in need of specialized skills to address these potentially life-threatening situations. So, does social work education provide social workers with the resources needed to feel confident in addressing suicidal intentions? Have the response protocols in agencies that train and employ social workers kept pace with advances in dealing with suicidal behavior? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Mirick shares her work developing a suicide intervention training program and the follow-up research she conducted to determine its impact on knowledge and confidence of those receiving the training.
- Episode 188 - Dr. Rebecca Mirick
Episode 180 - Dr. Howard Lipke: HEArt for Veterans: Identifying the Hidden Emotion
Interviewer: Nancy Smyth, PhD, LCSW
Monday, November 23, 2015, 9:43:15 AM

In this episode, Dr. Howard Lipke describes what he calls the Hidden Emotion Articulation (HEArt) Program, a contrast to traditional anger management programs. This approach, developed especially for the unique needs of veterans, helps clients identify the hidden emotion that lies beneath their feelings. Dr. Lipke contends that identifying the hidden emotion can help vets understand and prepare for sensitive situations in which they may be triggered into anger (and, for many vets, rage).
- Episode 180 - Dr. Howard Lipke
Episode 148 - Dr. Erin Kelly: Workplace Violence and Staff Well-Being: Everyday Hassles and Acute Crises
Interviewer: Steven Schwartz
Monday, August 04, 2014, 8:16:42 AM

While working at an inpatient psychiatric facility early in her career, Dr. Erin Kelly became interested in workplace violence, struck by the tension of maintaining staff and patient safety. She also developed an appreciation of the importance of building relationships with patients and other staff in such a challenging environment. In this episode, Dr. Kelly discusses her research on the impact of workplace violence on staff at a large psychiatric hospital. Dr. Kelly suggests a number of strategies to ameliorate staff conflict as one method of reducing staff-patient conflict. She also makes suggestions for the individual clinicians working in settings with elevated levels of conflict.
- Episode 148 - Dr. Erin Kelly
Episode 141 - Tara Hughes: Disaster Mental Health: An Emerging Social Work Practice
Interviewer: Steven Schwartz
Monday, April 14, 2014, 8:00:00 AM

Tornados, floods, bombings, transportation accidents, and mass casualty scenarios, whether natural or human-caused, are examples of extreme events that confront us. Tara Hughes is a mass casualty subject matter expert and one of two New York State disaster mental health advisors. In this episode, Ms. Hughes identifies the domains of disaster survival response and describes the process of employing psychological first aid in the disaster scenario.
- Episode 141 - Tara Hughes
Episode 139 - Dr. Robert Keefe and Dr. Barbara Rittner: The Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5): A Conversation
Monday, March 17, 2014, 9:01:22 AM

In this episode, Dr. Robert Keefe and Dr. Barbara Rittner engage in a conversation about the recently released DSM-5. Their discussion reviews many of the important changes to the manual. They also discuss several of the challenges and concerns identified with this edition.
- Episode 139 - Dr. Robert Keefe and Dr. Barbara Rittner
Episode 134 - Dr. Kelli Canada: The Role of Caseworker-Client Relationships Within Mental Health Courts
Interviewer: Charles Syms, LCSW
Monday, January 06, 2014, 8:07:51 AM

In this episode, Dr. Kelli Canada discusses her research on the perceived relationship between mental health court participants and their caseworkers, and its effect on outcomes.
- Episode 134 - Dr. Kelli Canada
Episode 118 - Dr. Jonathan Singer: The Use of Creative Arts as a Community-Based Suicide Prevention Effort
Interviewer: Laura Lewis, PhD, LCSW, ACSW
Monday, April 29, 2013, 9:02:50 AM

In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Singer describes his work drawing on the creative arts that by its nature is a community-based effort at preventing suicide. He argues that traditional prevention efforts, while effective at addressing the stigma associated with suicide on a person-at-a-time basis, do little to address the larger public stigma that is so prevalent and alienating for this population.
- Episode 118 - Dr. Jonathan Singer
Episode 108 - Dr. John Brekke, Anthony Fulginiti, and Rohini Pahwa: "For Them, With Them, By Them": A Peer Health Navigator Intervention for Persons with Serious Mental Illness
Interviewer: Anthony Guzman, MISM, MNCM
Monday, November 26, 2012, 8:43:51 AM

In this episode, Dr. John Brekke, Anthony Fulginiti, and Rohini Pahwa discuss their research with a Peer Health Navigator Intervention aimed at improving the health of persons with serious mental illness. Describing the intervention as a comprehensive engagement and self-management approach, our guests highlight what makes the intervention unique, recent findings from its application, and its benefits for the Peer Navigators as well.
- Episode 108 - Dr. John Brekke, Anthony Fulginiti, and Rohini Pahwa
Episode 102 - Bruce Nisbet, LMSW: Health Homes: A Virtual Home of Care Coordination for Medicaid Enrollees with Chronic Conditions
Interviewer: Catherine Dulmus, PhD, MSW
Tuesday, September 04, 2012, 8:09:59 AM

In this episode, Bruce Nisbet discusses Spectrum Human Services' involvement with Health Homes, a Medicaid health program providing integrated and coordinated services to people in the community who have serious and persistent mental illness or two or more physical health conditions. Mr. Nisbet discusses the inception of the program, services offered, the program's relevance, and implications for social work practice and education.
- Episode 102 - Bruce Nisbet, LMSW
Episode 98 - Professor Susan Green and Dr. Thomas Nochajski: The Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care (ITTIC)
Monday, June 11, 2012, 9:46:49 AM

In this episode, UB School of Social Work faculty members and co-directors Susan Green and Thomas Nochajski introduce the new Institute for Trauma and Trauma Informed Care. They describe the series of events and experiences that led to the development of the Institute and how the needs of the service delivery systems in the Buffalo area led to the development of, and continue to inform, the Institute's mission. Current activity and future plans are discussed.
- Episode 98 - Professor Susan Green and Dr. Thomas Nochajski
Episode 96 - Dr. Amy Watson and Brian Kelly: Forensic Assertive Community Treatment: Preliminary Outcomes and the Role of Environmental Influences
Interviewer: Patricia Logan-Greene, PhD, MSSW
Monday, May 14, 2012, 9:42:29 AM

In this episode, Dr. Amy Watson and Brian Kelly discuss their research into Forensic Assertive Community Treatment, an adaptation of traditional ACT that attempts to explore the unique challenges faced by previously incarcerated persons with mental illness as they re-enter communities. Dr. Watson and Mr. Kelly interpret their findings and advocate for a broader response beyond focus on this population's mental illness to an appreciation for environmental factors (such as housing) in the population's attempts to avoid recidivism and experience success in the community.
- Episode 96 - Dr. Amy Watson and Brian Kelly
Episode 95 - Dr. Janis Whitlock: The Cutting Edge: Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescents and Young Adults
Interviewer: Rebecca Eliseo-Arras, MSW
Monday, April 30, 2012, 9:29:35 AM

In this episode, Dr. Janis Whitlock discusses the disturbing phenomenon of self-injurious behavior among adolescents and young adults. Dr. Whitlock discusses the causes, prevalence, and risk factors of self-injurious behavior and explains its active though maladaptive coping dimension as well as the challenge of finding effective treatment.
- Episode 95 - Dr. Janis Whitlock
Episode 71 - Katherine Montgomery: Individual and Relational Factors Associated with Delinquency Among Throwaway Adolescents
Interviewer: Charles Syms, MSW
Monday, May 16, 2011, 9:08:56 AM

In this episode, Katherine Montgomery, MSSW and doctoral student, reports on the findings and implications of her recent study on domain-specific factors that distinguish "throwaway youth" from delinquent youth. Ms. Montgomery also describes how understanding specific individual and relational factors may inform more individualized, evidence-based treatment planning among this unique population of adolescents.
- Episode 71 - Katherine Montgomery
Episode 59 - Dr. Gail Steketee: Too Much Stuff: Understanding and Treating Compulsive Hoarding
Interviewer: Kathryn Kendall, LCSW
Monday, November 15, 2010, 9:02:52 AM

In this episode, Dr. Gail Steketee, Professor and Dean of the School of Social Work at Boston University, discusses compulsive hoarding behavior. In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Steketee has co-authored an accessible monograph about hoarding and hoarders in a way that will have us thinking about the "stuff" of our own lives.
- Episode 59 - Dr. Gail Steketee
Episode 48 - Robert Whitaker: Rethinking Psychiatric Care: If We Follow the Scientific Evidence, What Must We Do to Better Promote Long-term Recovery?
Interviewer: Amy R. Manning, LMSW, PhD Candidate
Monday, June 14, 2010, 8:08:28 AM

In this episode, author and journalist Robert Whitaker discusses what he has discovered through study of the evidence that is utilized to guide the treatment of psychiatric illness. With a critical eye, he describes the paradoxes in the conventional wisdom and practice in this field and how faithfully "following the evidence" would transform care for the drug-based treatment of mental illness.
- Episode 48 - Robert Whitaker
Episode 46 - Dr. Leopoldo Cabassa: Developing Mental Health Literacy Tools for the Latino Community
Interviewer: Adjoa Robinson, PhD, MSW
Monday, May 17, 2010, 9:48:18 AM

In this episode, Dr. Leopoldo Cabassa discusses his research and development of culturally competent interventions for Latinos experiencing mental health issues. He describes his motivation to work with the Latino community and the social work practice implications in developing mental health literacy tools for them.
- Episode 46 - Dr. Leopoldo Cabassa
Episode 45 - Dr. Sharon Bowland: Strength and Struggle: Spirituality and Recovery From Interpersonal Trauma (part 2 of 2)
Interviewer: Elaine Rinfrette, PhD, LCSW-R
Monday, May 03, 2010, 9:38:34 AM

This is the second of two episodes on spiritually and older women survivors of interpersonal trauma. Dr. Bowland discusses emergent themes such as forgiveness, isolation, and strength in the midst of struggle. Dr. Bowland also notes the utility of a feminist critique of the harmful and helpful aspects of faith traditions in relation to the experience of interpersonal trauma and the need to make space for discussions of religion in social work.
- Episode 45 - Dr. Sharon Bowland
Multipart - Get all parts currently posted
Episode 43 - Dr. Sharon Bowland: I Believe, But Will It Help?: Spirituality and Recovery from Interpersonal Trauma (part 1 of 2)
Interviewer: Elaine Rinfrette, PhD, LCSW-R
Monday, April 05, 2010, 9:46:45 AM

Dr. Sharon Bowland discusses a spiritually-based, psycho-social intervention for older women survivors of interpersonal trauma. In this first of two episodes, Dr. Bowland describes the intervention and reports on the positive mental health and spiritual well-being outcomes.
- Episode 43 - Dr. Sharon Bowland
Multipart - Get all parts currently posted
Episode 35 - Dr. Elizabeth Tracy: Social Networks, Trauma, Substance Abuse, and Dual Disorders Among Women
Interviewer: Charles Syms, MSW
Monday, December 14, 2009, 10:20:43 AM

In this podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Tracy traces the significance of social networks in social work practice, describes the types of social network interventions used by social workers, and discusses her research concerning social networks and the role of trauma and violence among women presenting with substance abuse or dual disorders.
- Episode 35 - Dr. Elizabeth Tracy
Episode 33 - Dr. Caitlin Ryan: Reducing Risk and Promoting Well-Being for LGBT Youth: The Critical Role of Family Support
Interviewer: Diane Elze, PhD, MSSA
Monday, November 16, 2009, 10:01:40 AM

Dr. Caitlin Ryan discusses her work on the Family Acceptance Project, the first major study of LGBT youth and their families. Findings from the project will be used to develop training and assessment materials for human service providers working with LGBT youth and families and to develop a new model for family-related care to improve health and mental health outcomes for all LGBT adolescents.
- Episode 33 - Dr. Caitlin Ryan
Episode 32 - Dr. Harold Kudler: Helping Veterans and Their Families Succeed: Current Research and Practice Guidelines in Management of Traumatic Stress
Interviewer: Barbara Rittner, PhD, MSW
Monday, November 02, 2009, 9:44:58 AM

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Harold Kudler discusses his most recent work with veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. In an approachable manner, he relates his current research findings and project work to the current literature and emerging debates in the study of Traumatic Stress. He advocates moving beyond the narrow lens of PTSD in conceptualizing our thinking about Traumatic Stress, and gives practical suggestions about developing a community response for returning veterans and their families.
- Episode 32 - Dr. Harold Kudler
Episode 30 - Dr. Paul Smokowski: Acculturation and Adjustment in Latino Adolescents: How Cultural Risk Factors and Assets Influence Adolescent Mental Health
Interviewer: Adjoa Robinson, PhD, MSW
Monday, October 05, 2009, 12:21:44 PM

In this podcast, Dr. Paul Smokowski describes his current research exploring the protective and risk factors involved for Latino youth as they attempt to integrate into United States culture. Discover what he learned about the "Critical Aspects of Acculturation" for this fast-growing population.
- Episode 30 - Dr. Paul Smokowski
Episode 29 - Dr. David Biegel: Facilitators and Barriers to Supported Employment for Individuals with Co-Occurring Disorders
Interviewer: Savra Frounfelker, MSW
Monday, September 21, 2009, 8:57:47 AM

In this episode, Dr. David Biegel discusses his latest research examining facilitators and barriers to employment for individuals with co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders, and implications for agency practices.
- Episode 29 - Dr. David Biegel
Episode 28 - Dr. Elaine Maccio: Helping Survivors of Katrina - An Evaluation
Interviewer: Lisa Butler, PhD
Monday, September 07, 2009, 10:13:17 AM

In this episode, Dr. Elaine Maccio discusses an evaluation of an initiative designed to address the mental health needs of hurricane Katrina survivors.
- Episode 28 - Dr. Elaine Maccio
Episode 27 - Dr. Charles Figley: Veterans and PTSD: Time for a New Paradigm?
Interviewer: Nancy Smyth, PhD, MSW
Monday, August 24, 2009, 12:54:35 PM

In the one-year anniversary episode of our series, Dr. Charles Figley discusses the mental health and support needs of veterans and their families. Dr. Figley calls for a change in the way we conceptualize the deleterious psychological effects of combat on soldiers, from stress disorder to stress injury.
- Episode 27 - Dr. Charles Figley
Episode 23 - Bruce Nisbet, LMSW: Empowerment and Recovery: The Impact of George W. Bush's "President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health"
Interviewer: Catherine Dulmus, PhD, MSW
Monday, June 29, 2009, 2:16:08 PM

In this episode, Bruce Nisbet talks about how the "President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health" transformed service delivery for individuals with severe mental illness in New York and across the United States.
- Episode 23 - Bruce Nisbet, LMSW
Episode 19 - Dr. Michael Hogan: The "President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health": Promise, Progress, and Challenge
Interviewer: Catherine Dulmus, PhD, MSW
Monday, May 04, 2009, 10:51:22 AM

Dr. Hogan discusses his work on the Bush Administration's President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, which he chaired from 2002-2003. He discusses how the work of the Commission focused research and service efforts in mental health on promoting recovery, resilience, and transformation in the lives of individuals with mental illness, and what he sees as the ongoing challenges of the work.
- Episode 19 - Dr. Michael Hogan
Episode 15 - Kathryn Kendall, LCSW: Promoting Mental Health in the Wake of Disaster
Interviewer: Susan Green, LCSW
Monday, March 09, 2009, 2:19:01 PM

This episode features a discussion on mental health in the wake of natural, technological, and man-made disasters. Kathryn Kendall articulates the stages of disaster and mental health-promoting responses to individual and community trauma.
- Episode 15 - Kathryn Kendall, LCSW
Episode 10 - Dr. Sandra Bloom: The Sanctuary Model: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Treatment and Services
Interviewer: Susan Green, LCSW
Monday, December 29, 2008, 11:27:32 AM

Sandra L. Bloom, M.D., co-creator of the Sanctuary Model, discusses a trauma-informed approach to treatment and systems change. Dr. Bloom describes the paradigm shift needed to understand the psychobiology of trauma and its impact on recovery from mental illness.
- Episode 10 - Dr. Sandra Bloom
DISCLAIMER: The content shared by the presenter(s) and/or interviewer(s) of each podcast is their own and not necessarily representative of any views, research, or practice from the UB School of Social Work or the inSocialWork® podcast series.
Get all episodes at the series' home page.