Social Work - Therapeutic Support

What is Social Work?

Social work is a university-qualified Allied Health profession that promotes social change, development, cohesion and the empowerment of people and communities. Social workers have knowledge of human behaviour and development, life cycle stages, families and social networks, disability and health, including mental health.

The Social Work profession operates at the interface between people and their social, cultural, physical, and natural environments. Social Workers operate from a 'person-in-environment' perspective providing interventions that address issues at both the personal and social levels. Accordingly, Social Workers maintain a dual focus on improving human well-being and managing any external issues that impact well-being or create inequality, injustice and discrimination.

In the NDIS, Social Work Therapeutic Support sits under CB Daily Living. All of Arise Societies Social Workers are accredited members of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

What does Social Work with Arise society look like?

Adolescents / Adults

At Arise Society, we assist participants with exploring the different domains in their current lives. This can include relationships and friendships, mental well-being, school/work, finances, housing, religion, culture, parenthood, independent living skills, community connection, and more. Together we look at what is working well and not so well and what is preventing them from living a full life.

Once that is established, we'll walk alongside the participant to try out different interventions and explore practical support options and potential changes to the environment.

We aim to work towards congruence, as we believe this is an essential factor of well-being. A person is congruent when their outside actions match what they feel on the inside. In other words, it's when a person's behaviour matches with how they feel and think about the situation. With congruence, there is a sense of harmony and agreement between self-image and ideal self.

Social Work Therapeutic Support through Arise Society is expected to increase a participant's self-awareness, emotional literacy and theory of mind. In turn, this can assist with building and maintaining relationships, improving challenging relationships, identifying meaningful and sustainable employment, and increasing emotional regulation and self-esteem.

Children / Young Teens

We generally work with the family system (primary caregivers) for children and young teen participants. No person, especially not a minor, is a silo in the world. The complexities that can be found in families, particularly families with one or more members with a disability, will impact the whole system. Not just the person with a disability, or vice versa.

The aim of therapeutic Social Work in this space is to explore what socio-environmental factors may be preventing successful goal achievement for the child. We then work with the family to build the understanding and ability to advocate for their child's disability-related needs and to make changes within the unit to achieve sustainability of the informal support role.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

Arise Society can offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy as part of our service to clients.

Our accredited Social Workers with specialised training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) approach their practice through a neuro-affirming lens.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a contemporary approach to mental health treatment, focusing on the unique process of eye movement to facilitate the processing of traumatic memories.

Established with the goal of aiding healing from trauma and distressing life experiences, EMDR was first clinically investigated in 1989.

Subsequent research has demonstrated its effectiveness, often achieving results more rapidly than many traditional methods.

Unlike conventional therapy, EMDR does not necessitate a detailed discussion of distressing issues. Instead, it concentrates on altering the emotions, thoughts, or behaviours stemming from a traumatic experience, enabling the brain to recommence its natural healing process.

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is applicable to a broad spectrum of individuals, including neurodivergent adolescents, teenagers, and adults of various ages who have experienced traumatic events.

How much does EMDR cost?

Initial session 90 minutes $290.98

Additional sessions are 50 minutes – fees are charged at $193.99 per hour.

This service does not attract a Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebate. As such a GP referral is not required. This service is claimable for NDIS participants.