From Theory to Practice: Navigating Ethical Complexities in School Social Work with Cathleen Morey, PhD, LICSW
Navigating the complexities of school social work practice can be both challenging and multifaceted. School social workers routinely encounter ethical dilemmas that involve students and various stakeholders. This training offers a theoretical foundation to inform ethical social work practice within school settings.
The training will begin by examining the organizational context of the school environment and its influence on ethical decision-making. Participants will then explore four key ethical supraordinate concepts: the distinction between basement and aspirational ethics, the supremacy of whiteness in social work ethics, ethical epistemic injustice, and intersectional ethics. These concepts will serve as a framework for guiding anti-oppressive ethical practices. Additionally, the training will identify three primary resources that offer ethical guidance tailored for school social workers. Participants will review relevant professional ethical standards, as well as state and federal statutes that govern the ethical responsibilities of school social workers, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the legal and ethical landscape. The training will also identify three primary resources that provide ethical guidance tailored for school social workers. Relevant professional ethical standards, along with state and federal statutes, will be highlighted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of school social workers. Key components of ethical discernment will be outlined, including the examination of ethical theories, engagement in self-reflection, and the identification of personal values. Additionally, a comprehensive ethical decision-making framework will be introduced.
Throughout the training, participants will engage in experiential learning activities and interactive discussions aimed at fostering meaningful conversations about applying these theories in practice. Break-out groups will encourage small-group interactions, allowing participants to deepen their critical thinking skills by applying key concepts to an ethical vignette. This will include an ethical deliberation process utilizing the decision-making framework provided. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with practical, actionable skills that can be integrated into their ethical practice. The presenter will also provide a slide set as a resource to support ongoing application of the concepts discussed during the training.
Learning Objectives
Participants will explain how the organizational context shapes ethical practice in school social work settings
Participants will describe four key ethical supraordinate concepts that guide anti-oppressive social work practice
Participants will identify three primary resources that offer ethical guidance for school social work practice
Participants will describe three steps involved in the process of ethical discernment
Participants will list the steps of a comprehensive ethical decision-making framework
Cathleen Morey, PhD, LICSW is the Director of Clinical Social Work at the Austen Riggs Center. She has 25 years of clinical social work experience in various mental health settings, including psychiatric hospitals, residential programs, community mental health agencies, and forensic settings. Her scholarship, research, and teaching focus on system enactments, interdisciplinary treatment teams, psychodynamic systems approach, family therapy, intergenerational transmission of trauma, ethics in social work, and international social work. She has presented on these topics at national and international conferences, grand rounds, and continuing education programs. Dr. Morey is an adjunct assistant professor at the Smith College School for Social Work where she teaches in the doctoral program and clinical supervision certificate programs. She is an international social work volunteer and a peer reviewer for several social work journals. She maintains a private practice providing individual, family, and couples psychotherapy, as well as clinical and ethical consultation.
Austen Riggs Center Inc. adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. All those at Austen Riggs Center involved in the planning of this activity, including the presenter(s) listed above, report they have no relevant financial relationships with an ineligible company*.
The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the Austen Riggs Center.
* An ineligible company is any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Available Credit
- 4.00 ASWB-ACE
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The Austen Riggs Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organization, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Austen Riggs Center maintains responsibility for this. Social workers completing this Webinar live course will receive 4.00 continuing education credit(s).
- 4.00 Contact Hours/ ParticipationA certificate of attendance for all Learners.