Weaving therapy into D&D proves helpful for some people | Issues to consider when opening a mental health practice | Empathetic calls from laypeople help with glycemic control
Licensed clinical social worker Katrina Serrano leads group therapy sessions based on Dungeons & Dragons, finding that participants are able to address anxiety, depression and trauma more effectively. "It's a safe environment where someone can challenge themselves in a way they know they can leave and be OK," says Serrano.
Social workers and other mental health professionals need to consider title protection and licensing laws when naming their practices, writes Allan Barsky, a social work professor at Florida Atlantic University. "[M]ental health professionals owe a special duty to their clients and the public to be honest and clear about their professional qualifications and the services they offer," writes Barsky.
Empathetic phone calls from laypeople can significantly improve glycemic control for low-income patients with uncontrolled diabetes, particularly those with subclinical signs of depression, suggesting that social support could be a critical component of glycemic control. Mean A1c decreased by 0.7% over six months among patients who received calls, compared with 0.02% for those receiving usual care, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open.
Parents can keep from getting stuck in feelings of shame about how they are raising their children through five steps that begin with recognizing when shameful emotions are starting, writes licensed clinical social worker Lia Avellino in this five-step list. "Replacing shame with curiosity gives you the space to make actual change instead of traveling down a spiral that leads to feeling unworthy, undeserving of care, and disconnected from those you love," writes Avellino.
Phoenix is working to have social workers available 24/7 by March amid a significant increase in behavioral health calls and a Justice Department investigation into discrimination against people with behavioral health disabilities. The city has invested $15 million to expand crisis response teams, which have seen a 172% increase in calls transferred from police in 2024 compared to 2023.
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HHS has declared a public health emergency in California because of the Los Angeles County wildfires, which have burned more than 35,000 acres and caused at least 10 deaths. The declaration allows greater latitude for Medicare and Medicaid providers and suppliers, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is ready to deploy medical supplies and personnel as needed.
Perfectionism in leadership can drive teams to achieve high standards, but it often comes at the cost of creativity and innovation, especially when accompanied by anger, which can create an environment where employees fear making mistakes, writes Gamze Koseoglu, a senior lecturer at The University of Melbourne. Leaders must temper their perfectionism with understanding and empathy if they want their teams to come up with new ideas and take risks, Koseoglu writes.
Poor communication with your team can affect employee trust, retention and engagement, writes clinical psychologist and author Monica Vermani, who offers seven steps to better communication, including the need for leaders to engage in two-way communication, adapt their style and invest in training. "When leaders share organizational goals and values, talk about opportunities on the horizon and share information about navigating organizational changes and challenges, they create a culture where employees feel valued and included," Vermani writes.
Preparing for An Optum Audit in 2025 Friday, January 17, 2025 (12 - 1 pm ET) Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. An Hour with Private Practice (HOPP): Questions & Answers is a free members-only question-and-answer session that provides members with important clinical social work updates affecting the delivery of mental health services in a private solo or group practice.
