Advocacy, one of the core competencies in the profession of social work. It is one skill that I was taught both in graduate school and as a professional over the past 15 years, it is a skill I take to heart. On February 9, 2013 a documentary W5, Crisis in Care, reported by Sandi Rinaldo…
Tag: victoria brewster
Skills of Helping Professionals
by Victoria Brewster, MSW How were you educated at school whether undergraduate or graduate? Was it a ‘just the facts’ orientation or an empathic, client-centered model? Is there room for both? Sometimes we have to be stoic, impassive helping professionals, but I would like to think most of the time we are empathic, compassionate and…
Resources on the Topic-Neuroplasticity
by Victoria Brewster, MSW Some excellent books to read regarding Neuroplasticity: The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, MD- The discovery that our thoughts can change the structure of our brain no matter what age! Frogs into Princes by Richard Bandler and John Grinder This book is dated 1979, but is excellent and shares…
Molecular Genetics
by Victoria Brewster, MSW Imagine my surprise to learn that genetics goes deeper than I originally thought in that the formation of the brain (think newborn brain cells here) cells, the very products of neural stem cells send out connections to expand in the brain which allow us to think, to move, to feel…..if there…
Canadian vs. American Healthcare
by Victoria Brewster, MSW Healthcare for every American and Canadian is very important especially for those that are of lower income. Basics are covered here in Canada, but anything above? Everyone is entitled to a GP, but not everyone has one. Everyone is entitled to be referred to a specialist, but the wait can be…
Healthcare and Drug Clinical Trials
by Victoria Brewster, MSW Healthcare is a huge issue facing many individuals in the world and in reality those of us in the Westernized world should not be compaining even though there are many issues and problems with healthcare in the U.S. and Canada. I tell my kids regularly, ‘count your blessings that you were…
Recap on Personalized Medicine
by Victoria Brewster, MSW The presentation was well worth the donation of $18 or chai. Dr. Ido Amit, Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and Dr. Sarit Assouline, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Jewish General Hospital (JGH) discussed Personalized Medicine. Dr. Amit stated that within 5-10 years this area will grow and…
Burn-out Avoidance in Social Work
by Victoria Brewster, MSW Self-Care in social work-an oxymoron? I do not think so. As professionals in social work it is our duty to ourselves and our clients/patients to provide self-care to ourselves. If we are highly stressed or steps away from ‘burn out’ how can we perform our role properly? Yet, I know many…
Gratitude
by Victoria Brewster, MSW We all become busy with both our personal and professional lives, but this is one element that should not be forgotten-gratitude. I co-facilitate a group for Holocaust Survivors on a weekly basis. This group has taught me so much and I will be forever grateful to all the members of the…
“50 Shades” Trilogy from a Helping Professional Perspective
by Victoria Brewster, MSW “50 Shades of Grey” and the other 2 novels in the series-people are getting caught up in the S & M aspect of it and ignoring the story behind the novel! The part I focused on……. Little boy born to a prostitute, never knew his father, beaten regularly by his mother’s…
Mending Rifts
by Victoria Brewster, MSW I just finished watching the Disney movie ‘Brave’ with my kids and I have to say it is one of the better Disney movies. Action, female role models and of course a point behind the story which is of course intended for the adults who watch with their kids. Think ‘Shrek’ with…
To Make a Difference
by Victoria Brewster, MSW I just finished watching a show on Cinemoi titled: Earth From Above with Yann Arthus Bertrand. He travels the world to point out the consumption that exist. How products are made, where the material comes from and the carbon foot print that is left behind. The world at 6.5 billion people…
