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Social Work Conference

2023 Social Work Conference

Cole Hooley and Sarah Kate Bearman: Cross Diagnostic Treatments

On November 3, 2023, the School of Social Work at Brigham Young University hosted its annual conference. The day-long event attracted 480 social work professionals from across Utah who gathered to learn from experts in the field of transdiagnostic treatments. Participants reported that attending the conference allowed them to expand their knowledge of clinical skills and applications in their professional careers.

The speakers were Cole Hooley, BYU professor of social work, Sarah Kate Bearman, professor of educational psychology at UT Austin, and Clair Robbins, co-director of the Unified Protocol Training Institute. Hooley presented on foundational definitions and tenants of transdiagnostic treatments during the first hour and explored the importance of diverse approaches for a broad range of clients.

Bearman spent six hours introducing participants to the FIRST program, which she co-developed as a treatment for youth. She explored concepts of feeling calm, increasing motivation, repairing thoughts, solving problems, trying the opposite, and boosting engagement. Dr. Robbins spent the final six hours introducing participants to the Unified Protocol program. Each speaker allowed attendees to ask questions as part of their presentation.

Conference objectives coincided with the focus of the Marjorie Pay Hinckley endowed chair and all presentations created greater understanding of the role of transdiagnostic treatments in individual, family, and community well-being. The conference encouraged the development of skills for more effective and compassionate clinical care, community service, and family and individual interventions.

We appreciate both the financial and staff support from the Marjorie Pay Hinckley endowed chair, the School of Social Work, and the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences to make this event possible. We believe it was a successful effort to improve services for working with diverse clients within our communities.