Ketamine has emerged over recent years as the only legal “psychedelic” treatment option at this time. As such, a “wild west” of treatment centers around the country, with variable models of treatment and outcomes have emerged. News outlets have reported on big name ketamine companies while local clinics continue to pop up, peaking client’s interest. Learn the nuts and bolts of what ketamine is and how it became a player in the mental health treatment scene. We will discuss the numerous models, routes of administration and treatment philosophies as well as clinical research of the pros and cons of this treatment option. We will focus on the role of the therapist and what preparation and integration is in ketamine assisted psychotherapy. We will also explore ketamine in Wisconsin and the options, appropriateness, and accessibility of this treatment on a local level. A brief overview of additional psychedelic medicines currently being researched for mental health treatment will also be provided.

Many social workers were trained to engage with griefwork using Kübler-Ross’ stages of dying, yet people came to apply them broadly to grief generally- a misapplication with problematic implications. Despite most grief theorists’ and researchers’ rejection of the stage approach, people continue to force a 5 stage model. After explaining the problematic aspects of this, we will discuss an alternate approach that centers the grievers’ experience by asking questions rather than assuming standardized responses. Questions that help grievers reflect on areas that current grief theory identifies as important will be suggested as a better map for clinical work with people who are grieving.

Perinatal mental health is a widespread issue, however, often overlooked and rarely discussed within the helping profession. The reality and experiences of new parents are disregarded with an expectation that having a baby is “the best time of your life,” so parents suffer in silence. Untreated perinatal mental health leads to psychiatric needs and shattered families; having generational impact. The purpose of this course is to draw attention to the relevance of perinatal mental health, recognize signs, symptoms and interventions, while, normalizing the matter. The workshop will address these issues through a combination of interactive dialogue, focused discussion, applied-practice exercises, and small group work.