3 Mental and Behavioral Health Courses That Will Make You a Better Social Worker

It takes a special person to be a social worker. One who truly wants to make a positive difference in people’s lives. However, a social worker often faces challenging situations and personalities. Luckily, there are several ways to enhance your skills and make you a better social worker. Here are three behavioral and mental health courses offered through PCC and the Institute for Health Professionals that provide essential information and education for social workers:

Foundations of Motivational Interviewing

Originally developed by Rollnick and Miller with the idea of helping people change their behaviors through a conversational approach, Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a technique that uses four core principles to help people embrace healthy, positive lifestyles. Many clinical trials of MI have proven effective in treating substance abuse and mental health disorders throughout this use of collaboration and suggestion.

This 1-day, 8-hour behavioral health course explores the principles and theories behind MI, the four processes of MI and applying them, using tools such as the Wheel of Change, and integrating motivational interviewing into an everyday practice. After having the basics of MI under your belt, consider continuing your education with the Intermediate Motivational Interviewing class.

Introduction to Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)

Interpersonal Neurobiology is a field that explores how the brain develops across one’s lifetime, revealing how the human mind gathers and interprets information and how we learn and deal with adversity/conflict. Combining psychology, environmental influences, complexity theory, relationship studies, and neuroscience, IPNB concepts can be applied across all sorts of professions and even personal behaviors outside of one’s day job. IPNB showcases how the mind develops and functions throughout one’s lifespan and how to overcome some of the issues that arise within the brain.

Created by Dr. Allan Schore, Dr. Dan Siegel, and Dr. Low Cozolino, Interpersonal Neurobiology seeks patterns in science, sociology, psychology, environment, complexity theory, and other fields and draws a “map” of the brain in which to learn from. Social workers will receive an introduction into neural integration to better one’s understanding of how people can improve their well-beings and lead more fulfilling lives. By the end of the course, professionals will have a better understanding of IPNB, be able to find solutions in ethical issues that may arise, and understand more about the brain’s structure and functions. The Institute for Health Professionals’ 5-week online interactive introductory class offers live-streamed courses and engaging chat discussions with other students.

Enteric Nervous System: Gut-Brain Axis for Mental Health & Wellbeing

Also known as the “Gut-Brain Axis,” the enteric nervous system is understanding the connection between a healthy digestive system and overall physical and mental well-being. The gut’s brain can play a huge role in human happiness or melancholy, and is a critical yet seldom taught part of mental and physical health.

At the Institute for Health Professional’s 1-day class, taught by a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and a Licensed Professional Counselor, social workers and other students learn about the latest research and tools surrounding nutrition, the incredible benefits of healing the gut, and how to help patients/clients by addressing the Enteric Nervous System.

As one of the main functions of the nervous system consisting of a series of neurons that controls what happens in the gastrointestinal tract, the enteric nervous system has independent reflex activity, separate from the ANS that automatically controls heart rate, breathing, urination, and other automatic tasks.

This mental and behavioral health course helps social workers understand the difference between the autonomic nervous system, the somatic nervous system, the enteric nervous system and how it relates to the body and overall health.

Why Choose PCC IHP

Understanding the foundations of IPNB, the importance of the enteric nervous systems, and the concepts of motivational interviewing, while integrating these into your practice and personal life, will enhance your mindset and benefit everyone around you, including your patients. These in-depth courses allow one to relay the value of how the mind and body work together, how to communicate effectively to clients, and fully comprehend the research and history of neurobiology.

Educating yourself on how the human brain works, as well as understanding psychosocial models, are key factors that allow you to better assist families and patients when helping to improve their health and environmental situations. These extensive mental health courses, taught by seasoned practitioners, researchers, and experts in science and health are perfect for people who work in the healthcare profession, or for those who work closely with people in all stages in life and various backgrounds. Combined with your area expertise and knowledge, these courses will help to boost your level of social work.