SOW 230 - Trauma, Addiction and Mental Health in Social Work Practice: Theory and Intervention

 
Description
This course provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of trauma, addiction and mental health in the context of social work practice. Students examine theoretical frameworks and evidence-informed interventions used to support individuals, families and communities impacted by crisis, substance use and psychological distress. Rooted in trauma-informed, culturally responsive and anti-oppressive principles, the course prepares students to understand behavioral health from both a systems and clinical perspective. Topics include psychopathology, co-occurring disorders, crisis intervention, recovery models and ethical challenges in social work practice.

CSWE Competencies Addressed 

This course is designed in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). As an advanced course in the social work curriculum, SOW 230 addresses competencies required for accredited social work programs. The following competencies align with the course learning outcomes and prepare students for continued study and future licensure pathways: 

1. Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior 
2. Competency 2: Engage Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in Practice 
3. Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism in Practice 
4. Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 
5. Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 
6. Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities  

1. Identify signs and symptoms of major mental health and substance use disorders. (CSWE Competency 6)
2. Apply trauma-informed principles to case scenarios involving individuals and families. (CSWE Competencies 2, 6, 8)
3. Analyze theoretical frameworks explaining trauma, addiction and psychopathology. (CSWE Competencies 6, 7)
4. Examine the impact of crisis, stigma and systemic oppression on behavioral health outcomes. (CSWE Competencies 2, 3, 6)
5. Evaluate the role of cultural context in treatment planning and recovery. (CSWE Competencies 2, 3)
6. Demonstrate ethical reasoning in response to common dilemmas in crisis and mental health practice. (CSWE Competency 1)
7. Compare intervention models and recovery approaches used across behavioral health systems. (CSWE Competencies 6, 8)

1. Theories of trauma and stress response  
2. Addiction as a biopsychosocial phenomenon  
3. Mental health disorders and co-occurring diagnoses  
4. Crisis intervention models and techniques  
5. Cultural humility and intersectionality in behavioral health  
6. Psychopathology from a systems perspective  
7. Anti-oppressive and trauma-informed care  
8. Recovery models and resilience  
9. Risk assessment and safety planning  
10. Stigma, bias and barriers to care  
11. Ethical dilemmas and professional boundaries in crisis work

• Culture Society & Citizenship
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Information Literacy

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