2023 Harnessing the Healing Power of the Nervous System
Session Description:
A recent study concluded that institutions that offered and supported complementary/integrative therapies increased the odds of patient survival among those with breast cancer (Crudup, 2021). Integrative approaches offer a way to harness the power of the body and nervous system in its role in emotion regulation, physical healing, and symptom management, even while it is being challenged by the experience of cancer. Many effective integrative therapies are within the scope of oncology social workers (Crudup, 2021) including mind-body therapeutic interventions, expressive therapies, and emotional support. These interventions show improved psychological distress, anxiety, depression, fear of recurrence, sleep, pain, fatigue, social well-being, perceived level of health, quality of life, functional ability, and overall survival (Crudup et al, 2021; Fulop, Grimone, & Victorson, 2017; Karim et al, 2021). Yet, many oncology care providers do not feel adequately equipped to guide patients regarding integrative approaches (Karim et al, 2021) or they do not have the resources to build programs to support these efforts (Crudup et al, 2021). Therefore, many patient populations are not able to access these simple, yet significant interventions. This workshop will focus on writing, creativity, and mind-body interventions. We will provide an understanding of the mechanisms, engage oncology social workers in experiential exercises, and provide instructions and guidance on how to easily implement these therapeutic tools as brief interventions (5-10 min), more in-depth interventions (20-30min), and with groups or in program development. We will conclude by brainstorming and troubleshooting common implementation challenges.
SpeakersErin Price, LICSW, OSW-C, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
Michelle D Ferretti, LCSW, OSW-C, Inova Life with Cancer
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to compare and contrast three types of integrative approaches for supporting physical and emotional challenges faced by oncology patients.
- Participants will be able to demonstrate understanding of the evidence base supporting specific integrative interventions with patients and organizational colleagues/leadership.
- Participants will assess challenges and compose an action plan for addressing barriers and/or implementing integrative interventions with their patient population/within their organization.
Course Designation: Clinical (General)
Keywords: Clinical Practice/Skill Building, Integrative Oncology
Presentation Level: Intermediate
CE credits: 3.0
CE credit can be purchased for an additional fee of $25.