Continuing Education

From Stress to Strength

Burnout Prevention & Self-Care for Social Work Wellness

Social Work Education

About The Course

Course Title: From Stress to Strength: Social Workers and Self-Care

Learning Method: Record asynchronous distance (non-interactive). This course includes a recorded video and access to the presented resources.

Amount of CE Credit Offered: 1 credit (general)

Fees: This course can be purchased individually for $25 or as part of an annual unlimited continuing education subscription available for $99/year.

Posttest: Following the course, the participant will take a 10 question posttest. A score of 70% correct is required to pass and obtain a certificate. If you do not pass the posttest, it can be re-taken after fully reviewing the materials again. 

Certificate of CompletionIn order to receive a certificate of completion, you must indicate that you’ve watched the entire video portion of the course, earn a passing grade on the test, and complete the requested course evaluation.

Description of the Course:

Why is understanding this topic important?

1. Enhances Professional Longevity:

Understanding burnout and self-care is crucial for social workers to maintain their mental and physical health, ensuring they can continue their important work over the long term. By recognizing the signs of burnout and implementing effective self-care strategies, social workers can prevent the negative consequences of chronic stress, such as decreased job performance, health issues, and the potential for leaving the profession prematurely.

2. Improves Quality of Care:

Knowledge of burnout and self-care directly impacts the quality of care provided to clients. Social workers who manage their stress effectively and maintain their wellbeing are more empathetic, patient, and present with their clients. This not only enhances the therapeutic relationship but also leads to better client outcomes, as social workers are better able to apply their skills and knowledge without the interference of personal stress.

3. Promotes a Healthy Work Environment:

Understanding and addressing burnout contributes to a healthier work environment for all staff. When social workers prioritize self-care and organizations support wellness initiatives, it can lead to reduced staff turnover, enhanced teamwork, and a more supportive and positive workplace culture. This not only benefits the social workers but also creates a more stable and effective service for the clients they serve.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Craft and implement personalized self-care plans specifically designed to address the unique stressors faced by Social Workers. Through identifying personal needs and stress triggers, participants will gain the tools to effectively manage stress and prevent burnout, ensuring their continued effectiveness and compassion in their roles.

  2. Build resilience with strategies tailored to enhance professional well-being for Social Workers operating in high-stress environments. This course will guide participants through practical exercises and scenarios, empowering them to strengthen their resilience, thereby improving their ability to serve clients and navigate complex workplace dynamics.

  3. Apply practical stress management techniques and engage in deep self-reflection to establish a healthy work-life balance. By mastering these strategies, Social Workers will enhance their job satisfaction and mental well-being, ensuring they can maintain high levels of professional performance while also prioritizing their personal health.

Target Audience: 

Masters and Clinical level licensees pursuing continuing education.

Content Level:

Both beginning and intermediate-level content are included in this course.

Instructor Bio(s):

Course Outline:

1) Understanding Burnout in Social Work

  • Definition and symptoms of burnout
  • Causes of burnout specific to social work
  • The impact of burnout on personal and professional life

2) Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

  • Early warning signs and red flags
  • Differentiating between burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and moral injury
  • Self-assessment tools for identifying personal risk factors

3) Building Resilience and Preventing Burnout

  • Key strategies for enhancing resilience in the face of work-related stress
  • The role of professional development and skill-building in preventing burnout
  • Establishing a supportive professional network

4) Practical Techniques for Managing Stress

  • Introduction to mindfulness and its benefits for stress reduction
  • Effective stress management techniques: movement, exercise, and breathing exercises
  • Setting healthy work-life boundaries for long-term wellbeing

5) Implementing a Personalized Self-Care Plan

  • Steps for creating a personalized self-care plan tailored to individual needs
  • Incorporating daily self-care practices into routine
  • Tools and resources for maintaining self-care and monitoring progress

Course Creation Date: 3/18/24 

Requesting Accessibility Accommodations:

Please email [email protected] to request accessibility accommodations.

ACE Approval Statement: 

Agents of Change, #1919, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 7/26/2023 – 7/26/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.

System Requirements:

  • The most recent version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge browser
  • Javascript enabled
  • PDF plugin
  • Graphic and audio output capability
  • Broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 5Mbps (recommended)
  • TLS 1.2 supported by your web browser

Refund PolicyIn general, refunds will not be provided. However, if you do have any concerns or grievances, please contact us at the email address below. Registrants who do not complete their course(s) will not receive a refund. Registrants who purchased the course but did not achieve a passing grade will not receive a refund. The Agents of Change Grievance Policy can be viewed here.

Cancellation Policy: If an Agents of Change Continuing Education course is canceled, a full refund will be provided to all participants.

Please email [email protected] with any questions about the course.

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Your Continuing Education Includes

Audio + Visual Content

We design our continuing education to support all learning styles. Each topic includes engaging videos and visual slides. With your purchase, you also get access to on-the-go audio resources.

High Quality Materials

Build your understanding with high quality materials and comprehensive explanations. Agents of Change will help you master the topics you need to know to build your career.

PEER + Email Support

With your purchase, you'll be invited to the Agents of Change community, a supporting skill building environment. You'll also have access to the Agents of Change team for any questions!