Nos IMPortas Tú: Consejería en Trabajo Social

Introduction to the Program

Overview of the Program's Mission

• The program aims to address social needs and problems, promoting development opportunities for individual well-being.

• Emphasizes an integral and complex intervention approach, ensuring inclusivity.

• Critical thinking and attitude are highlighted as essential tools in their methodology.

Program Announcements

Upcoming Changes and Events

• Greetings to listeners from the "Nos importas tú" program on Radio Info, part of the Mexican Institute of Psycho-oncology's Social Work Deanery.

• Announcement of significant changes within the institution, particularly relevant for social work students.

First Congress of Social Work IMPO 2026

• A major event scheduled for August aimed at students learning both theoretical and practical aspects of social work.

• The congress will feature professionals with extensive national and international experience, fostering critical reflection on contemporary social work challenges.

Engagement Opportunities at the Congress

Interactive Learning Environment

• The event is designed not just for passive listening but encourages active participation through conferences and workshops.

• It will be held both in-person and via Zoom, allowing broader access to information about this transformative event in social work.

Guest Introduction: Jennifer López Bolly

Background Information

• Introduction of Jennifer López Bolly, a licensed social worker with a strong academic background from UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico).

• She has extensive experience in community intervention focusing on rights for people with disabilities since 2016.

Professional Contributions

• Involved in creating community intervention models and training programs related to disability rights within Mexico City’s family development system.

• Participated in various initiatives aimed at improving children's rights and inclusive language use from a human rights perspective.

Discussion Topic: Counseling in Social Work

Defining Counseling

• The program transitions into discussing counseling within social work as an emerging focus area that requires exploration based on professional experiences.

Consejería Social: Un Proceso de Acompañamiento

Definición y Objetivos de la Consejería Social

• La consejería social se define como un proceso de acompañamiento que busca el bienestar mental y emocional mediante una comunicación efectiva entre el usuario y el consejero.

• El objetivo principal es identificar problemas y necesidades para encontrar soluciones que mejoren la calidad de vida del individuo.

Contexto Profesional en Hospitales

• La consejería se aplica principalmente en entornos hospitalarios, donde los pacientes presentan diversas necesidades y problemáticas.

• Es crucial entender que la consejería no reemplaza la atención médica, sino que complementa el cuidado al enfocarse en limitaciones psicosociales como ansiedad o depresión.

Modalidades de Intervención

• Existen diferentes modalidades para ejercer la consejería: individual, grupal, familiar y digital (en línea). Cada modalidad tiene su enfoque específico según las necesidades del paciente.

• La intervención familiar es especialmente relevante en hospitales, ya que puede ayudar a mejorar la comunicación dentro del núcleo familiar.

Rol del Trabajador Social

• El trabajador social debe proporcionar un ambiente seguro y confidencial para facilitar el proceso de consejería. Además, debe poseer habilidades como empatía y escucha activa para brindar apoyo emocional efectivo.

• Se requiere un amplio conocimiento en metodologías adecuadas para implementar la consejería eficazmente dentro del contexto hospitalario.

Escenarios de Ejercicio Profesional

• Los trabajadores sociales deben adaptarse a diferentes escenarios e infraestructuras que pueden complicar la creación de espacios seguros para la escucha activa. Esto resalta la importancia de ser flexible y creativo en su práctica profesional.

Social Work and Counseling: Key Insights

Importance of Adaptability in Social Work

• The speaker emphasizes the necessity for social workers to possess individual skills that allow them to adapt to various scenarios, ensuring they can provide effective emotional support.

• Creating a safe space for clients to express their emotions freely is highlighted as fundamental in social work training and practice.

Approaches to Counseling

• Various counseling approaches are mentioned, including humanistic and Gestalt methods, with a focus on behavioral interventions that complement existing treatments rather than replace them.

• The speaker notes that social work often occurs outside traditional settings, such as hospital corridors or waiting areas, necessitating adaptability in intervention strategies.

Ethical Positioning and Methodological Functions

• The discussion includes the ethical positioning required in social work, particularly when interventions must occur in less-than-ideal environments.

• Emphasis is placed on maintaining confidentiality and creating an open environment for clients during counseling sessions.

Role of Social Workers in Patient Care

• Active listening is identified as a critical skill; clients often seek understanding rather than solutions from social workers.

• The importance of recognizing clients as rights-holders who should be empowered to lead their own change processes is discussed.

Benefits of Counseling in Social Work

• Generating tools and skills within clients helps them manage future challenges effectively, which is crucial for emotional well-being.

• On a macro level, effective counseling can reduce the need for institutional care by strengthening individuals' coping mechanisms, ultimately lowering public healthcare costs.

Addressing Specific Health Issues through Counseling

• The conversation touches on how counseling can mitigate risks associated with mental health issues and chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

• Early intervention through counseling with patients suffering from chronic illnesses can prevent future complications and promote better health outcomes.

Causas de Enfermedades Renales y Consejería en Trabajo Social

Importancia de la Consejería en Prevención

• La consejería puede ayudar a prevenir enfermedades renales al fomentar el apego a tratamientos y hábitos saludables, especialmente en pacientes diabéticos.

• Un enfoque efectivo implica cambios a nivel personal e institucional, lo que resalta la necesidad de atención integral.

Beneficios de la Consejería

• La consejería no solo reduce riesgos asociados con enfermedades, sino que también genera estrategias de prevención y mejora la adherencia a tratamientos.

• Se plantea la pregunta sobre las características necesarias para una consejería efectiva en el ámbito del trabajo social.

Características Clave de la Consejería

• El conocimiento del problema por parte del paciente es fundamental; deben ser conscientes de su situación para recibir ayuda adecuada.

• La voluntad del paciente es crucial; se requiere un consentimiento escrito para iniciar el proceso de consejería. Esto asegura que el paciente esté comprometido con su tratamiento.

Personalización y Enfoque Individualizado

• Cada proceso de consejería debe adaptarse a las necesidades específicas del individuo, enfatizando la importancia del contacto cara a cara durante las sesiones.

• Las sesiones pueden requerir seguimiento continuo, lo cual permite realizar referencias o contrarreferencias según sea necesario para asegurar un tratamiento adecuado.

Principios Éticos y Derechos Humanos

• La consejería debe estar basada en principios científicos y profesionales, respetando siempre la dignidad humana y los derechos individuales del paciente. Esto incluye considerar contextos culturales diversos como poblaciones indígenas o personas con discapacidades intelectuales.

• Es esencial promover el autocuidado entre los pacientes, reforzando su singularidad y deseo de cambio dentro del marco legal y ético correspondiente.

Reflexiones Finales sobre Consejería

• La consejería en trabajo social refuerza aspectos como la confidencialidad y el bienestar personal, además de contribuir al control efectivo de enfermedades mediante una orientación adecuada hacia los tratamientos disponibles.

• Se anticipa discutir más sobre los principios rectores que guían esta práctica profesional en futuras secciones o bloques temáticos relacionados con actividades educativas adicionales ofrecidas por instituciones pertinentes.

What is the Difference Between Social Work Counseling and Psychological Intervention?

Understanding the Distinction

• Nubia Sárate poses a question regarding the difference between social work counseling and psychological intervention, highlighting its significance.

• The speaker emphasizes that social workers operate within a multidisciplinary framework, always viewing situations through a social lens.

• Interventions are based on identifying needs and problems from a social perspective, ensuring that changes in behavior are approached socially rather than psychologically.

• The construction of a social diagnosis involves considering various spheres such as community, family, and institutional contexts to understand health processes.

• Techniques used in counseling must align with the principles of social work while focusing on empowering individuals as active agents in their change.

Implementation of Counseling in Social Work

• Yadira asks when counseling begins in social work; it starts upon identifying an unmet need or problem for an individual.

• Counseling aims for brief interventions but requires follow-up to ensure effectiveness; it can be initiated at both individual and institutional levels.

• Strengthening support networks is crucial; counselors should not only focus on individuals but also engage with their support systems for holistic intervention.

• Group counseling strategies may be employed alongside individual sessions to enhance support structures within institutions like hospitals.

Principles of Effective Counseling in Social Work

• The initial contact with patients sets the stage for ongoing support; understanding referral processes is essential for effective service delivery.

• Each counseling session must address unique needs since no two cases are identical due to varying resources available to individuals.

• Counselors must maintain neutrality without imposing personal judgments on sensitive topics, ensuring an unbiased approach during interventions.

Counseling and Ethical Considerations in Social Work

The Role of Neutrality in Counseling

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining a neutral stance as a counselor, especially when personal beliefs may conflict with clients' rights.

• It is crucial for counselors to establish boundaries with clients while focusing on behavioral change as the core of counseling.

Ethical-Political Positioning

• The discussion highlights that the counselor's positioning should be ethical-political rather than moral, centering on the client's will and desire for change.

• Questions arise about how cognitive-behavioral models facilitate behavior change within counseling practices.

Techniques for Behavioral Change

• Knowledge of methodologies is essential for social workers; techniques like active listening, rapport building, and motivational interviewing are fundamental.

• The speaker provides an example involving chronic illness (diabetes), illustrating how intervention strategies must include educational approaches alongside health services.

Family Influence on Change

• Acknowledges that family dynamics can significantly impact an individual's willingness to adopt new behaviors or dietary changes.

• Real-life scenarios demonstrate how external factors, such as family habits, can hinder personal motivation for change.

Practical Strategies for Everyday Life

• Emphasizes that motivation for change should not be romanticized but grounded in practical strategies relevant to patients' daily lives.

• Transitioning into discussions about generating change within families and groups based on everyday realities is proposed.

Upcoming Events and Initiatives

Announcements from Instituto Mexicano de Psico Oncología

• An initiative encourages simple actions like using stairs instead of elevators to promote health and community responsibility.

First Congress of Social Work 2026

• Announcement regarding an upcoming congress aimed at students in social work, focusing on professional identity development through exposure to experienced professionals.

• The event will feature conferences and workshops designed to challenge established structures and address contemporary challenges in social work.

Event Participation and Future of Social Work

Overview of Event Structure

• The event will allow participation through various platforms, including Zoom and in-person meetings. Details will be shared in the coming months.

• Emphasis on social work as a collaborative effort, highlighting that participation is central to the congress's objectives.

Key Concepts in Social Work

• Discussion on the importance of understanding processes related to patient support through social work counseling. Definitions and methodologies have been introduced by Licenciada Jennifer.

• Inquiry into identifying phases or stages associated with change processes in individuals, particularly within health contexts.

Stages of Change in Health Context

Understanding Precontemplation Stage

• The precontemplation stage involves individuals being unaware of their need for change; they may resist acknowledging health issues, such as those faced by patients requiring dialysis.

• Example provided: Patients often deny needing therapy despite facing significant health challenges, illustrating the role of counseling at this stage.

Role of Social Workers

• Social workers play a crucial role in guiding patients through acceptance and ambivalence regarding necessary changes in their lives due to health conditions. This includes addressing emotional responses like surprise or denial about required treatments.

• Collaboration within multidisciplinary teams (including nephrologists, nutritionists, nurses) is essential for effective patient care and successful outcomes in programs like dialysis therapy.

Action Phase and Counseling Techniques

Transitioning to Action

• Once patients accept their health issues, they enter the action phase where they begin making lifestyle changes with support from social workers who help identify opportunities for improvement.

• Counseling is offered on multiple levels: individual, family, and group settings to ensure comprehensive support during treatment transitions (e.g., education about catheter care).

Importance of Multidisciplinary Approach

• Emphasizes that social work does not operate in isolation but rather integrates with medical and psychological care to maintain behavioral changes necessary for patient well-being during treatment protocols like dialysis.

Impact of Economic Factors on Renal Patient Diets

Economic Challenges in Dietary Compliance

• The speaker highlights the significant economic burden associated with renal diets, noting that they are not affordable for many patients.

• Acknowledges that financial constraints can lead to non-compliance with dietary recommendations, impacting treatment adherence.

• Discusses the concept of resistance to change among patients and professionals, emphasizing the need to recognize underlying factors affecting behavior.

Strategies for Behavioral Change

• Emphasizes the importance of establishing short-term, tangible strategies to facilitate long-term behavioral changes in patients.

• Suggests focusing on practical adaptations within home environments and family dynamics to support patient compliance.

The Role of Systematization in Social Work

Importance of Theorizing Practice

• Stresses the necessity for social workers to theorize their practices as a means of systematizing experiences from interventions.

• Points out that systematic approaches can enhance understanding and effectiveness in social work interventions.

Emerging Trends in Social Work Counseling

• Highlights counseling as an emerging focus within social work, urging practitioners to adapt their methodologies to contemporary challenges.

• Calls for innovation in intervention strategies to achieve better outcomes amidst evolving societal issues.

Recommendations for Future Social Workers

Continuous Learning and Specialization

• Advises current and future social workers on the importance of continuous education and specialization in areas like counseling.

• Encourages adaptability when entering established institutions, stressing the need for flexibility in applying learned concepts.

Navigating Institutional Realities

• Discusses the challenge of adapting theoretical knowledge to practical realities within institutional frameworks.

• Urges social workers not to confine themselves strictly to administrative roles but rather engage actively with clients' needs.

Conclusion: Embracing Change in Social Work

Final Thoughts on Transformation

• Concludes by reiterating the dynamic nature of social work practice, highlighting ongoing transformation across methodologies and client interactions.