Presentation Submission: Example #1
Title of Presentation: Exploration of the Concept of Forgiveness Among Female Incest Survivors
Presentation Track(s): Direct Practice
Audience: Social Workers
Content Level: Intermediate
Presentation Abstract:
The use of therapeutic forgiveness with incest survivors is a relatively new area of inquiry. Many studies have revealed promising results, including improvement of survivors' physical and mental health and personal relationships. However, many survivors still shun the concept. An increased understanding is needed of survivors' personal conceptualizations of forgiveness.
Presentation
Description:
Sexual abuse can
be a devastating crime to endure. The effects may be severe and long-lasting,
with the effects of incest being potentially more damaging than other forms of
sexual abuse (Browne & Finkelhor, 1986; Gil,
1991). Multiple therapies and coping strategies have been utilized in attempts
to address the crimes' impact upon survivors, but one therapeutic intervention
whose value is just recently coming to into clinical and scholarly view is that
of forgiveness.
There have been
a number of studies that have utilized forgiveness with a variety of violated
individuals (e.g. Al-Mabuk, Enright,
Cardis, 1995; Eastin, 1989;
Freedman & Enright, 1996; Hebl
& Enright, 1993; Huang, 1992; McCullough,
Worthington, & Rachal, 1997; Moon, 1989; Phillipps & Osborne, 1989; Wilson, 1994) but only a
handful that have examined or utilized forgiveness with survivors of sexual
abuse (Eastin, 1989; Freedman & Enright, 1996, Freedman, 1999; Holeman,
1994; Holeman & Myers, 1998; Moon, 1989;Wilson,
1994). However, studies such as these and others have yielded encouraging
results, not only that forgiveness can be successfully learned and applied to
such personal situations, but also that other aspects of forgivers' personal
health may improve as well, such as decreases in depression and anxiety,
increases in self-esteem and hope, etc. (e.g. Freedman & Enright, 1996, Hebl & Enright, 1993; Huang, 1992; Phillipps
& Osborne, 1989).
Furthermore,
successful forgiveness work by sexual abuse survivors may serve to not only
increase the health of the individual survivors, but also to potentially effect
the health and functioning of the survivors' familial relationships, either
current family and/or family-of-origin (Elridge &
Still, 1995; Freedman, 1999; Holeman & Myers,
1998; Morris, 1998). However, it is crucial that no one be forced or pressured
into forgiving someone who has hurt him/her. If forgiveness is done at all, it
should be by the personal choice of the survivor, and in his/her own time
(Freedman & Enright, 1996; Smedes,
1996; Worthington & DiBlasio, 1990).
Research in this area thus far has largely focused on utilizing predetermined, scholarly definitions of forgiveness with subjects. However, many people shun the concept of forgiveness altogether based on their own definition of or previous negative experience with it. If the utilization of therapeutic forgiveness is to be considered more widely by incest survivors, one must explore how survivors themselves personally conceptualize forgiveness, what role, if any, it has played in their lives to this point, any attempts made to use it in the past, and perceived results. This may serve to form a more solid understanding for therapists and church leaders to enter such discussions with such survivors. This investigator is currently in the process of conducting a qualitative study to explore these issues. Results, therefore, are forthcoming.
Learning
Objectives:
After completing this workshop, participants will be
able to:
1.
Overview
past forgiveness research, and articulate frequently-occurring variables in
successful forgiveness interventions
2.
Articulate
several areas of an abuse survivor's life that may be effected by forgiveness
3.
Describe
the implications of both the material included in this presentation, including
the presenter’s research, for therapeutic intervention including forgiveness
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Presentation Submission: Example #2
Title of Presentation: Building Community Partnerships with Congregations: The Opportunities, Challenges, and Rewards
Presentation
Track(s):
Audience: Social Workers; Church Leaders
Content Level: Intermediate
Presentation Abstract:
Partnerships between secular organizations and local congregations can
be an exciting way to build community. This workshop will examine the opportunities
and challenges in building such partnerships. Participants will learn about
practical methods that can be beneficial in the formation and sustainability of
partnerships with interfaith congregations. The personal faith implications for
social workers will be examined.
Presentation
Description:
Undoubtedly,
there is a current trend, if not a dynamic movement, among community agencies,
secular institutions, local government bodies, and many other organizations to
partner with congregations. The challenge in the accelerating discussion of
"faith-based" service delivery is to form community partnerships with
congregations that are creative, high quality, and mutually beneficial while
not capitalizing on, or in extreme cases exploiting, congregations. Providing
an overview of an urban, hospital based congregational health ministry network
as a program model, this presentation will explore the opportunities,
challenges, and mutual benefits of organizations building community
partnerships with congregations.
Highlighted
throughout the presentation will be opportunities for the creative use of
concrete social work knowledge and skills to promote the integration of faith
and practice in a secular setting.
The
presentation will identify some of the challenges encountered when building
community partnerships with congregations. Specific to the discussion will be
issues that often create barriers to such partnerships such as, understanding
congregational culture; engaging church leadership; building and sustaining
partnerships; underlying motivation for partnerships; measuring outcomes;
program planning; and obtaining resources.
Importantly,
the presentation will offer some practical methods and examples for addressing
these barriers. Additionally, methods for articulating the mutual benefits of
such congregational partnerships with be identified and discussed. The benefits
of partnerships to congregations, as well as organizations, will be explored.
Issues such as the congregation's mission and spiritual development, as well as
the community service initiatives of organizations, will be discussed.
Application of principles will be directly applied to the congregational health
ministry network model.
Finally, the
presentation will encourage social workers to examine their own faith and
practice implications when working with interfaith congregations in such
partnerships. The personal challenges, including practical examples, of
integrating faith and practice will be discussed. Resources for professional
development in building congregational partnerships, as well as integrating
faith and practice in such partnerships, will be provided.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this workshop, participants will be
able to:
1.
Articulate
several innovative strategies designed to help agencies and institutions
develop partnerships with congregations
2.
Identify
key challenges faced by organizations partnering with congregations and learn
how to address obstacles
3.
Describe
the mutual benefits of institution/agency and congregation partnerships
4.
More
fully understand the personal implications and dynamics of integrating personal
faith with social work practice when working in a secular institution
partnering with interfaith congregations
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Additional Examples of Learning Objectives (gleaned from
other workshop proposals):
After completing this workshop,
participants will be able to:
NACSW
Palos Heights, IL 60463