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Emerging from what we learned through the Hartford Geriatric Enrichment Grant, this course has been designed as a graduate level specialty course on the clinical issues of aging. The course is an examination of aging and the interaction of the biological, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and social/economic factors. By focusing on clinical practice and case management with older adults and their families, the course will provide in-depth knowledge about assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation. In counterpoint to the application of various psychological and cognitive measurement tools, students will discuss the clincal and ethical implications in relation to diversity and populations at risk. Theories of aging and models of intervention will be discussed and critiqued. The role of the clinical social worker will be examined in the various settings and agencies serving aged populations. The course is based on the strengths based perspective and will provide a variety of viewpoints and case examples of best practice with older clients and their families.
Sarah is currently the President of the Minnesota Society for Clinical Social Work (2009-2011). Sarah Anderson is the program director of Psych Recovery Senior Services (since 2005) as well as the CEO of Psych Recovery Inc (since 2009), which is a outpatient mental health clinic located in St. Paul MN. Sarah also is the CEO of The Professional Matrix, a web based company focused on resources and referral network for social work supervision in MN.
Courses Taught:
GRSW 623
Clinical Practice with the Elderly, since 2007.
Research Interests:
Effective policy and political research relating to all populations’ social workers serve. All research related to seniors, especially related to clinical psychotherapeutic treatment and perspectives of mental health. Also, general mental health interventions related to anxiety, adjustment and depression as it relates to guilt and shame for all age groups.
Academic Experience:
Proudly graduated from CSC/UST with an MSW in 2003, and a BSW from Augsburg College with a BSW in 1999.
Practice Experience:
Sarah's practice focuses on geriatrics, adults and adolescents specifically with grief, adjustment difficulty, crisis intervention, depression, anxiety, cognitive loss and chronic illnesses. She is the Program Director for Psych Recovery Senior Services and provides psychotherapy on site to SPMI adults and seniors, as well as in the PR outpatient clinic. Sarah has clinical experience in inpatient mental health (in geriatrics, adults and adolescents) and as a BSW experience in emergency rooms, as well as nursing homes and assisted livings.
Consultation Experience:
“Responsible clinical practice involves regular continual consultation with other skilled professionals” which Sarah participates in regularly.
Association Memberships & Affiliations:
Sarah is a member and current president of MSCSW and served on the board of the Coalition of Licensed Social Workers (2003-2009).
She is also a proud member of NASW and the Clinical Social Work Association.
