This course is an advanced theory for practice course that builds upon foundation courses in Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE) and clinical theories, and covers conceptualization, dynamics of and interventions in mental health, substance use and trauma. The course examines the independent and intersecting theory bases of mental health, trauma and substance use approaches. It also explores recent evidence about individual and environmental risks associated with these conditions and evidence about both specific therapeutic interventions and the importance of common relational factors. Social workers make up one of the largest professional groups working with clients living with mental health concerns and bring a unique person-in-environment and strengths perspective to that work, which fits well with a recovery philosophy. Clinical frameworks and interventions common across these fields, such as harm reduction, motivational interviewing, self-determination theory and the transtheoretical model of changes, are presented, and students are introduced to integrative approaches that show promise in responding to client conditions.

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