Theory to a Mental Health
This is a assignment from a social work class( social work is different from sociology)
In this assignment, read the reading provided and lead a forum discussion.
(a) decide one or two readings from the required readings;
(b) open the discussion by introducing the reading(s) like we did last semester, including application in your placement or other fields, and cross-culture comparison;
(c) raise two or three questions about that topic for your classmate to answer( you should answer the questions too)
In this class all of the classmates are having a internship in a social work agency( school, hospital, private practice.etc)
I’m interning in SMHC( Shanghai mental health center) which is a mental health hospital.
I will attach the syllabus and the reading and also two samples for you to refer.
Here is the reading I choose:
Schlesinger, Renee (2014). Clinical Social Work with Orthodox Jews: A Relational Approach. In
J.B.Rosenberger (Ed.), Relational Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations (pp. 179-194).
you should be able to find the reading in the Chapter i posted (pp. 179-194).
Reflection and Forum discussion for a social work class
Name:
Instructor:
Institution:
Date:
Schlesinger, Renee (2014). Clinical Social Work with Orthodox Jews: A Relational Approach.In J.B.Rosenberger (Ed.), Relational Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations (pp. 179-194).
Understanding and attending to patients’ spiritual and religious needs is a significant aspect of the clinical environment. This idea is advanced by the relational theory, which offers a socio-cultural, biological, and psychological framework that clinicians use to address patients problems. The relational theory emphasizes that clinicians must engage in mutual discovery and problem definition with their patients before selecting relevant treatment methods. The theory suggests that if the clinician and the patient form a positive relationship, therapy sessions will proceed quickly because the patient will have complete trust in the clinician. However, the relationship may deteriorate if the clinician fails to appropriately respond to the patients’ behavior, religious beliefs, and non-religious beliefs. The application of relationship theory in the treatment of Orthodox Jewish patients is very interesting, which compels me to discuss it with the class.
The application of relational theory to a mental health facility such as the Shanghai mental health center allows clinicians and interns to recognize and appropriately respond to patients’ religious beliefs and treatment needs. Even though small, the mental center is quite equipped with the standard personnel and resources to handle mental cases that can arise within the population. To this end, there is the underlying need to ensure that even in the worst case scenarios, such issues are handled well. However, aligning aspects of the relational theory with the strict teachings that guide the lives of Orthodox Jews is a problem that my colleagues and I struggle with at Shanghai mental health center every day.
As unusual as it sounds, a female clinician cannot extend a handshake or be with an Orthodox Jew male patient in a closed room at the hospital. Furthermore, Orthodox Jews consult the Rabbi on all issues, including mental health problems. An orthodox community generally embraces practices and beliefs that are so strictly intertwined with their religious as well as historical beliefs. Such a system influences and dictates their whole behavioral nature between themselves and others too. As a resu...