Presented by Toscha J Wilkins, MSW, LCSW-A

2 Continuing Education Hours
 

Social workers are increasingly navigating high caseloads, complex client needs, and systemic pressures that contribute to overwhelm, decision fatigue, and diminished clinical clarity. Without intentional strategies, these challenges can impact ethical practice, professional sustainability, and the quality of care provided to at-risk populations. This interactive session explores practical, trauma-informed strategies to help social workers strengthen focus, establish effective boundaries, and make confident, values-aligned decisions in demanding practice environments. Participants will explore how cognitive overload and chronic stress influence attention, judgment, and professional effectiveness, and will learn actionable strategies to reset, refocus, and respond with greater clarity. Through guided reflection and skill-building exercises, attendees will identify patterns that contribute to overwhelm and develop tools to enhance both personal sustainability and clinical impact. This session aims to re-energize practitioners and equip them with practical approaches to support ethical, effective, and resilient social work practice.
Learning Objectives:

• Identify the impact of overwhelm and cognitive overload on clinical decision-making, boundaries, and overall effectiveness in social work practice.
• Apply practical, trauma-informed strategies to strengthen focus, manage competing demands, and maintain professional boundaries in high-demand environments. 
• Utilize approaches that support clinical clarity and values-aligned decision-making to enhance ethical, sustainable, and effective work with at-risk populations.

COST:
$50 Members
$40 Sudent or Retired Members
$70.00 Non-Mmebers

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Making Space for the Other - Tzimtzum, Relationships, and the Practice of Social Work

Join the NASW-WI Jewish Social Workers Network for our next gathering as we explore Professor Mordechai Rotenberg’s The Psychology of Tzimtzum: Self, Other, and God.

Our discussion will focus specifically on Chapter 1 and Rotenberg’s exploration of tzimtzum, the Kabbalistic concept of self-contraction and creating space for the other. In developing a Jewish psychology, Rotenberg offers an alternative to approaches that understand relationships primarily through individualism, competing needs, power struggles, and conflict. Instead, he places dialogue, mutual responsibility, and relationship with the other at the center.

At the heart of tzimtzum is the possibility of creating space for the other, and thereby creating space to coexist. Importantly, this does not mean erasing ourselves or giving up our own perspective. Tzimtzum can be understood as a dynamic process of contraction and expansion—making room for another while remaining present ourselves. In this sense, making space for the other can strengthen rather than diminish the self, creating the possibility for genuine dialogue and relationship.

What might this mean for the practice of social work? How do we make space for another person without erasing ourselves? How might we move from an “I or Thou” relationship toward an “I and Thou” relationship? What does it mean to take responsibility for each other while also maintaining our own presence and agency? And what becomes possible when we approach difference not as a competition for space, but as an opportunity for dialogue, inclusion, and coexistence?

We'll explore these questions through a Chavruta-style discussion, bringing Jewish thought into conversation with our experiences and practice as social workers.

No prior knowledge of Kabbalah, Hasidic thought, or Jewish traditions is required. Participants are asked to read Chapter 1 in advance. If you are unable to obtain the book, a link to the relevant reading will be provided upon registration.

October 12, 2026 — Rosh Chodesh Heshvan

⏰ 6:30 PM Central Time

📍 Zoom registration https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-PwyTLlnQy-19frsI_HB1A

Come learn, reflect, and connect with Jewish social workers from across Wisconsin.

Dafna Berman, Chair

NASW-WI Jewish Social Workers Network

dafnaberman@outlook.com

 Navigating Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

Date: Friday, November 20, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm CT 

Presenter: NASW-IL Chapter Ethics Committee Member Vince Cieslak, MSW, LCSW, CADC, CDVP

Virtual Platform: Zoom Meeting

Cost: 1.0 Ethics CEU | $30 Nonmember | $10 IL/MO/WI Member | $17 Other NASW State Chapter Member

Register: 43030 11.20.26 Navigating Unethical Conduct

Presented by Greg Scheetz (he/him), LCSW

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals, including LCSWs, LPCs, LMHCs, LMFTs, PsyDs, PhDs, and students/clinical interns.

Gender-affirming medical care has repeatedly been shown to be a safe and effective method for treating symptoms of Gender Dysphoria for transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals. Despite this awareness, TGNC individuals continue to face many obstacles and restrictions with accessing this type of care. For individuals who are seeking gender-affirming surgery, one of these obstacles is to obtain a “letter of readiness” from a mental health professional. This training is designed to support mental health professionals who want to assist TGNC individuals by providing these letters and increasing access to life-saving care.

Presentation Goals:

1. Attendees will be able to describe several examples of gender-affirming care.
2. Attendees will gain an increased understanding of the process to obtain a gender-affirming surgery and the mental health professional’s role in this process.
3. Attendees will gain an increased understanding of the content included in a letter of support for gender-affirming surgery.
4. Attendees will discuss ideas for mental health professionals to better support transgender individuals who are seeking gender-affirming surgeries.

2 Continuing Education Hours

Cost:
Members - $50
Student or Retired Members - $40
Non-Members - $70

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Presented by Lessep Duncan, PhD, LCSW 

One Continuing Education Hour

A significant number of the US population experience issues of isolation and loneliness which is increasingly viewed as a public health crisis. Enhancing social connection (a crucial determinants of health) reduces the risk of social isolation and contributes to a positive and fulfilling life. Social and public health services practices need to apply effective approaches to address the needs of vulnerable or at risk populations facing limited or a lack of human connection.
This presentation aims to provide a forum to discuss the need to identify and address the presence and impact of social isolation and loneliness particularly on the elderly population.
Discussion will focus on:

• Acknowledging and addressing the existence and impact of social isolation and loneliness.
• The relationship between social, physical and mental health.
•  Identifying & examining risk factors that lead to or result from social isolation and loneliness
• Identifying best practices and services to address social isolation and loneliness.

Learning Objectives
After attending this workshop participants will:
1. Increase their awareness of and sensitivity to clients facing social isolation.
2. Recognize the impact on the emotional and physical health on clients dealing with social isolation and loneliness.
3. Learn and better understand the difference between social isolation and loneliness.
4. Understand the importance of human/social connection.
5. Enhance their interventions with individuals, or clients facing issues of social isolation and loneliness

COST:
Members - $25
Student & Retired Members - $20
Non-Members - $35

REGISTER