This workshop will provide an overview of the coordinated specialty care model of early intervention for psychotic disorders, including the evidence base, history and philosophy of care, and opportunities and challenges around implementation. Participants will be able to describe key components of the model relevant to social work practice: psychosocial assessment, family support and therapy, individual therapy, and case management. The session will include case scenarios.

Barbara B. (Bebe) Smith, MSW, LCSW

Conversations about aging—such as driving, living independently, health changes, or financial decision-making—are often emotionally charged and deeply personal. For older adults and their loved ones, these discussions can quickly become fraught, leading to defensiveness, conflict, and strained relationships. When handled poorly, they may even contribute to isolation, loss of trust, or increased vulnerability to harm. This interactive workshop equips social workers with practical, relationship-centered frameworks for navigating difficult conversations about aging with empathy, clarity, and shared decision-making. Participants will explore how mindset, preparation, listening, and communication strategies can shift conversations from reactive and adversarial to collaborative and supportive. Through reflection, discussion, and applied tools, attendees will strengthen their ability to facilitate conversations that honor autonomy, preserve dignity, and support safer, more connected outcomes for older adults and their families.

Melissa Segal LCSW

Jews comprise a high percentage of social workers, and Jewish social work leaders have made formative contributions across social work practice domains. Moreover, Jewish clients often have unique needs. Yet rarely are social workers trained to understand the Jewish histories of our profession or to offer culturally-competent care to clients and coworkers who are within the "big tent" of contemporary Jewish life. This presentation will provide clinical case examples to highlight the importance of listening with humility to Jewish voices, particularly in light of domestic and global stressors impacting the diverse lived experiences of American Jews, Jewish families, and Jewish communities. We will also explore how creative engagement with Jewish ethics can enliven social work practice, as Jewish civilization has animated an evolving wisdom tradition from which all social workers may find inspiration.

Andrea Siegel, Ph.D., LCSW

Suicide prevention is not only about recognizing risk but also about reducing access to lethal means during moments of crisis. This webinar introduces social workers and allied professionals to lethal means counseling as a key, evidence-based intervention that saves lives. Participants will explore how empathetic, non-judgmental conversations about firearm and medication safety can become a natural part of suicide risk assessment and safety planning. Drawing from current research, real-world case examples, and frameworks such as Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM), this session provides practical guidance on integrating these conversations into clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on culturally responsive communication, ethical and legal considerations, and collaboration with clients, families, and community partners.

Jonathan Conover, LCSW,CCTP,

Social workers and community advocates will have a better understanding of the critical role of financial stress and one’s overall well-being. This workshop will explore the core elements of Financial Social Work (FSW), a specialized approach that addresses the complex relationship between client’s financial stress and their emotional health. Participants will gain insight into how financial stress impacts client’s mental health, physical health, relationships, and several other aspects of their life. We will discuss strategies for establishing a professional, compassionate connection with clients creating a safe space where clients feel supported and empowered to explore their financial challenges without crossing boundaries or offering financial advice. Attendees will learn practical, creative methods to assist clients in setting and achieving personal financial goals. This includes identifying available resources, tools, and community supports that can facilitate financial literacy and stability. Emphasis will be placed on building client’s confidence and fostering a healthier relationship with money by addressing feelings and emotions associated with financial stress.

Remisha Jones, MS, MSW, LCSW, Certified Financial SW, Owner

With more than 570 federally recognized tribes in the United States and only .13% of licensed clinicians identifying as Native American or Indigenous, culturally responsive care remains critically important. Led by an Indigenous clinician, this session offers valuable insight into working effectively with Indigenous communities. Participants will explore generational trauma in this community and consider the social stigmas and barriers Indigenous individuals often face when seeking care. Attendees will leave with increased knowledge and practical understanding to better support Indigenous Tribes in their professional practice.

Tishina Carroll, LCSW, LCAS, CCS,

Please join us to speak LIVE with the sponsors and exhibitors of the 2026 NASW-NC Virtual Clinical Social Work Institute during lunch.

This session explores the mental health impact of heightened immigration enforcement on immigrant individuals and families in North Carolina. Participants will examine how chronic fear, risk of family separation, and systemic instability contribute to trauma-related symptoms, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and disruptions in family functioning. Grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice, this presentation will highlight common clinical presentations and offer practical strategies for assessment, engagement, and intervention. Ethical, advocacy-informed approaches to addressing systemic barriers will be discussed, along with strategies to support clinician resilience when working with communities experiencing ongoing stress.

Jairo Orellana, LCSW, MBA,

Parents and caregivers play a critical role in the success of child and adolescent therapeutic interventions, yet working effectively with them can be complex. This training supports clinicians in cultivating strong, constructive relationships with parents and caregivers. Topics include defining roles, maintaining confidentiality, managing resistance, and delivering feedback in ways that promote growth and resilience. We will also explore common challenges in working with families going through separation, divorce, and life transitions. Through case studies and clinical demonstrations, participants will build knowledge and skills to strengthen therapeutic outcomes through effective parent collaboration.

Amy Levine, MSW, LCSW, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education and the Director of Interprofessional Education and Practice

Clinical social workers are trained to diagnose and apply interventions, yet many struggle with real-time clinical decision-making when client presentations are complex or don't fit neatly into diagnostic categories. This workshop focuses on how therapists reason in session, moving beyond checklist-based diagnosis toward practical clinical judgment. Using focused case examples, participants will examine a streamlined approach to clinical reasoning that prioritizes clarifying client needs, assessing risk and impairment, and making ethically sound treatment and referral decisions. The presentation highlights common reasoning traps, such as diagnostic inflation, premature conclusions, and avoidance of referral, and offers practical strategies to improve clarity and confidence in everyday practice. This session is designed for clinicians at all levels who want a clearer, more reliable way to think through complex clinical situations.

Sean Steele LCSW, MSW, Ed.D.,

Social workers are practicing in a time of profound grief, moral distress, and systemic harm. Many are being asked to carry more than any individual should—often without adequate support, resources, or community. This session invites participants to reimagine ethics of care as a collective, relational practice rather than an individual responsibility. Together, we will explore the grief held by social workers, the field itself, and the communities we serve, while naming how oppressive systems shape our capacity to care. Participants will be invited to consider radical and imaginative approaches to care, including the courage to ask for support, to seek allies even when the answer may be no, and to ask who in our field needs care the most. Grounded in social work values, this session offers reflection, connection, and practical insight for sustaining ethical practice in difficult times.

Tasha Hunter, MSW, LCSW (she/her),