Many social workers enter the profession motivated by experiences from their own past. However, unresolved childhood trauma can sometimes lead helping professionals to unconsciously recreate harmful dynamics in their professional roles, turning former coping mechanisms into patterns that contribute to burnout, boundary challenges, and other workplace difficulties.

Drawing on evidence-based practices, case studies, guided exercises, and reflection questions, McCormick helps readers move from a narrative of self-sacrifice to one grounded in sustainable self-care, emotional regulation, and authenticity. Healing the Helping Professional: The Unfinished Business of Childhood Trauma offers social workers a valuable opportunity to engage in their own healing journey while strengthening their ability to support others and maintain their well-being.

Order your copy of Healing the Helping Professional: The Unfinished Business of Childhood Trauma now!

Supporting Clients in Coming Out

This one-pager offers guidance for Texas social workers supporting LGBTQ+ clients amid an evolving legal landscape. It provides practical, affirming strategies for helping clients navigate the coming out process while addressing the challenges and uncertainties created by recent legislative changes. Learn more.

A Social Worker's Guide to BHEC's Guidance on Gender Identity-Related Care

This one-pager clarifies common misconceptions about recent guidance issued by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) regarding gender identity-related care for minors. It emphasizes that the guidance does not change existing laws, regulations, or social work standards of practice and affirms that social workers can continue to provide ethical, affirming support and resources to LGBTQ+ clients. Learn more.

Several new laws have gone into effect which directly impact the LGBTQ+ community in Texas. We know many of you have questions about what impact these laws may have on your practice, and how you can stand with the community and advocate. For those of you who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, you may also be wondering what these laws mean for you personally and professionally.

Additionally, federal Executive Orders and policy have also created uncertainty and fear for social workers and our communities.

The SOGIE Committee is here to help. Please fill out this brief survey and submit your questions, concerns, or even suggestions/resources that you have regarding the legal and political landscape, how it may impact your practice, what you can do to advocate, etc. We will use these submissions to help us develop the most relevant and actionable guidance and resources.

Submissions are anonymous, unless you choose to provide your name and email for us to contact you. This is NOT required.

We will be collecting responses until June 30th. Your questions and input are valuable, and we thank you for your time. 

Click here to submit the survey.

Amendments are now available for member comment on the NASW website. Members can visit https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Governance/NASW-Bylaws/Proposed-Bylaw-Amendment-Comment-Forum-2026 to view and comment on all Proposed Bylaws Amendments. This comment period will last through Sunday August 9, 2026. For reference, information on the NASW Bylaws Amendment Process can be found here.

There are three proposed changes to the bylaws that are available for review. To comment, you’ll need to click on the link for each change, which is the identifying section on the right (e.g. - XII.D.01 Chapters) This will allow you to start the comment process after reviewing the document (the link on the left). Here is a brief synopsis of each change:

• XII.D.01 Chapters – Renames the “Chapter Board of Directors” to a “Chapter Leadership Council” in regards to how members may petition chapter leadership to carry on program activities.

• XII.D.02 Chapters – Renames the Chapter “Officers and Directors” a “Chapter Leadership Council,” and removes language around elections for these positions.

• XII.D.04 Chapters – Removes the process of “Elections” in regards to the newly created Chapter Leadership Council, and clarifies that the Chapter Leadership Council Chair shall be appointed by the NASW Board of Directors. All other members of the Chapter Leadership Council shall be selected pursuant to the Chapter Charter.

Please take your time to review these changes, and should you wish to leave a comment, please take the time to share your feedback on these changes. Thank you.

If you're interested in learning more about The Think Factory Podcast or gaining valuable insights from industry experts, check it out on Amazon Music, Apple, iHeart Radio, RSS, Spotify, or by visiting TheThinkFactory.com.

The Austin Under 40 Awards recognize emerging professionals and community leaders who are making a profound impact across Central Texas through innovation, leadership, service, and dedication to the greater good. To see two social work leaders represented among this year’s honorees is both meaningful and deeply reflective of the expanding influence of our profession across healthcare, education, advocacy, policy, and community transformation.

Dr. Eboni L. Ceasar, LCSW-S, PhD, has long been recognized as a visionary leader in integrated behavioral health, workforce development, and systems-level collaboration. Through her work at Dell Medical School, Austin ISD, UT-Austin’s Texas Social Work, and in communities across Texas, she has advanced innovative models that connect healthcare, education, and social services while elevating the role of social workers as essential leaders within interdisciplinary systems. Her leadership has focused not only on expanding access to care, but on creating sustainable pathways for future generations of behavioral health professionals.

Dr. Ashley Glover, LCSW-S, LCDC has similarly demonstrated extraordinary commitment to leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. Her work continues to strengthen opportunities for individuals and families while helping shape systems that are more equitable, responsive, and community-centered. Through her dedication and impact, she exemplifies the heart of social work leadership in action.

Together, these recognitions represent something larger than individual achievement. They signal the growing visibility and influence of social workers as innovators, executives, educators, researchers, and advocates shaping the future of Texas communities.

For the social work profession, moments like these matter. They remind us that the work social workers do every day—often quietly and behind the scenes—creates lasting change across healthcare systems, schools, nonprofits, policy spaces, and neighborhoods throughout our state.

The Texas Chapter celebrates Dr. Ceasar and Dr. Glover not only for this incredible honor, but for the example they set for emerging leaders across our profession. Their recognition reflects the brilliance, resilience, and transformative leadership that social workers bring to every sector they touch.

Congratulations to both of these remarkable leaders on this well-deserved recognition. Your work continues to inspire the profession and strengthen communities across Texas and beyond.

Pictured above: Dr. Ceasar (left) and Dr. Glover (right) at the Austin Under 40 Awards gala on May 9, 2026

We are sharing a call/email script to help you advocate!

Find your House of Representatives official here. 

Access the call/email template here.

The Court’s decision raises significant concerns for the profession, particularly in how it frames therapeutic interventions under the First Amendment and limits states’ ability to regulate harmful practices involving minors. Justice Jackson’s dissent emphasizes the longstanding authority of states to regulate licensed professionals in the delivery of care. Her opinion highlights the risk that this decision creates a broader “free speech” loophole in healthcare regulation, which could have implications beyond this case.

LDF will continue to monitor how this case develops as it returns to the lower courts and assess potential impacts on social work practice. In the meantime, we encourage you to share the case summary with members as a resource for understanding the decision.

Interested members should review the link below for more information and send their resume/CV or questions to adolescentstandards@socialworkers.org. The deadline to submit a resume/CV for consideration is April 30, 2026.

 NASW Standards for the Practice of Social Work with Adolescents Task Force

The draft standards offer guidance to social workers on essential, helpful provisions for social workers to feel secure when carrying out their social work duties in any setting or environment. We value your input and encourage you to review the document by clicking  Here.

Please use the comment section below to provide your feedback no later than April 25, 2026 . We kindly request that you include your professional background with your comments. Thank you.

Submit your comment.

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"8 Ethical Tips for Social Workers When Considering or Using Emerging Practices"