ProSocial Podcast

After Conversion Therapy: Ethics, Identity, and Client Self-Determination

In this episode of the ProSocial Podcast, social workers and hosts Matthew Watson, Zander Keig, and Dr. Nafees Alam welcome psychologist and scholar Dr. Lee Beckstead for a nuanced discussion of Chiles v. Salazar and its implications for mental health practice. Moving beyond simplistic narratives surrounding conversion therapy bans, the panel explores a pressing ethical concern: whether ideological activism and professional cancellation within mental health care risk replacing one form of coercion with another. Drawing on his personal experience as a conversion therapy consumer and decades of clinical and research work, Dr. Beckstead outlines core principles of ethical, client‑centered care, particularly approaches that avoid imposing predetermined identity outcomes. The conversation emphasizes pluralism, humility, and client self‑determination, highlighting the importance of addressing minority stress and distress while fostering skill‑building, resilience, and thoughtful identity development without prescribing who clients must become. The episode also examines the dangers of one‑size‑fits‑all therapeutic models, the importance of distinguishing different forms of identity‑related distress, and the need for adversarial collaboration rather than ideological enforcement. Ultimately, the discussion invites clinicians and policymakers alike to reconsider what truly makes therapy ethical - and genuinely therapeutic. 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. Social workers and others seeking continuing education credit may learn more by going to ProSocialWorkers.com [https://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 ethics continuing education credits. * Credits: All Night by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prosocialworkers.substack.com [https://prosocialworkers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

When the State Enters the Therapy Room

October 7, 2025 Oral Arguments: Chiles vs. Salazar [https://youtu.be/TnNJkug34vY?si=Ho8fMBgCWI4gOD8x] March 31, 2026 Supreme Court Opinion [https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-539_fd9g.pdf] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prosocialworkers.substack.com [https://prosocialworkers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Empowered Humanity Theory and Social Work Practice

This podcast explores the application of Empowered Humanity Theory (EHT) within social work practice, emphasizing its alignment with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Developed as a neuroscience-informed framework, EHT cultivates three core attitudes—Value-Centered Identity, the Dignity Lens, and a Compassionate-Inquisitive Mindset—supported by daily practices that build awareness, equanimity, compassion, and recognition of common humanity. Social workers face high exposure to trauma, ethical complexity, compassion fatigue, and emotionally charged cases. EHT provides tools for self-regulation and co-regulation, enabling practitioners to remain grounded in values during crises. By filtering decisions through chosen values, honoring the dignity of every client, and replacing judgment with curiosity, social workers strengthen therapeutic alliances and reduce bias. The NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes service, dignity and worth of the person, social justice, integrity, and the importance of human relationships. EHT reinforces these values by anchoring practice in compassion, reframing social justice through dignity, aligning identity with integrity, and fostering curiosity and presence in relationships. Ultimately, EHT offers social workers a practical, dignity-based framework to sustain resilience, prevent burnout, and embody ethical principles in daily practice. Takeaways * The empowered humanity theory strengthens wellbeing. * It cultivates three core attitudes. * A valued-centered identity is crucial for personal growth. * Filtering thoughts through core values aids decision-making. * Gratitude, dignity, and humor are essential core values. * Living authentically means aligning actions with values. * External labels should not dictate our identity. * Guidance comes from within, not from societal expectations. * Personal difficulties can be navigated through core values. * Striving for wholeness from the inside out is key. 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 21, 2025. It is intended for a beginning social worker audience, while also appealing to other helping professionals. Social workers and others seeking continuing education credit may learn more by going to ProSocialWorkers.com [https://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 ethics continuing education credits. * Credits: All Night by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prosocialworkers.substack.com [https://prosocialworkers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Dialogue Practice in Clinical Social Work

Summary In this episode of the Pro Social podcast, 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 * 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 * 53:17 Creative Approaches to Break the Ice Dr. David Derezotes relevant works: * 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 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. 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. Social workers and others seeking continuing education credit may learn more by going to ProSocialWorkers.com [https://prosocialworkers.com/courses/a-dialogue-about-dialogue/] 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 1.5 clinical continuing education credits.Credits:All Night by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prosocialworkers.substack.com [https://prosocialworkers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Secret to Raising Resilient, Confident, Independent Children in the Next Generation

In this podcast, Nicole Runyon, a Licensed Master Social Worker and parenting coach in Michigan, presents the challenges faced by the I-Generation, particularly focusing on the mental health crisis among this population. She identifies the three D’s: disorder, dysfunction, and disconnection, and emphasizes that the mental health symptoms observed in this cohort are often misunderstood messages indicating deeper issues. Runyon critiques the current mental health system’s inability to effectively address these challenges. She also presents parenting styles and approaches that change across time according to a child’s developmental needs. She concludes with some strong recommendations for parents to facilitate social, emotional, and intellectual development in their children. Takeaways * We are experiencing a crisis with our children today. * The current cohort of kids is referred to as the I-Generation, which includes children from Gen Z and Gen Alpha. * Three concerning risks among Gen Z are referred to as the 3 D’s: disorder, dysfunction, and disconnection. * 40% of Gen Z has a mental health diagnosis. * Mental health symptoms are messages from the youth. * Behaviors labeled as problems are often misunderstood. * The mental health system is not working for Gen Z. * We need to listen to the canaries in the coal mine. * Understanding youth behavior is crucial for effective intervention. * A new approach is needed to address these mental health challenges. 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 social worker audience, while also appealing to parents and other helping professionals. Social workers seeking continuing education credit may learn more by going to ProSocialWorkers.com [https://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 1.25 general continuing education credits.Credits:All Night by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prosocialworkers.substack.com [https://prosocialworkers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]