Joy Lynn Richardson, MSW, LCSW, is a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia. Through twenty years of experience in various settings, her career includes extensive experience with multi-stressed youth, supporting the well-being of educators, helping emerging adults navigate the transition to adulthood, and trauma-informed practices. She currently serves as adjunct faculty at Aurora University and National Louis University while maintaining an online therapy practice in Chicago.
Joy’s research focuses on the intersections of social work education and professional formation, with special attention to ensuring social work students leave their degree programs with the tools and strategies for sustainability and success. Ultimately, the goal is to diversify the social work profession with talented, ethical, and effective social workers. As a social work practitioner, Joy understands that advocating and striving toward justice often leaves social workers depleted and worn, leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. Her doctoral capstone focuses on the importance of self-care in social work education as a protective factor against burnout and compassion fatigue. Her research includes understanding the effects of the 2021 Amendment to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics on prioritizing self-care in social work education and practice. Joy is a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society and volunteers locally with Girl Scouts, Climate Kids Club, and as a school yoga instructor.
DSW Showcase Student Presentation
Joy Lynn Richardson
MSW, LCSW
Strengthening Self-Care in Social Work Education
Concentration - Social Work Education
- Monday, April 28, 2025 -
- 1:00 pm
Abstract
A systematic literature review explores the role of self-care in social work education, addressing the research question: “What self-care practices are currently endorsed in social work education?” by examining recent publications (2021-2024) focusing on self-care strategies in social work curricula following the 2021 amendment to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Eight selected articles describe approaches such as electives, teaching modules, and mindfulness practices. The review underscores the importance of self-care in ensuring sustainable, ethical, and effective social work practice. A conceptual paper emphasizes the need for a multi-dimensional self-care approach in education to protect against burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma. Drawing on ecological systems and resiliency theories, the paper proposes integrating self-care as a core practice skill. Key barriers to implementation, such as individual, systemic, and cultural factors, and a proposed pathway to address these challenges are identified. The paper also stresses the need for culturally responsive self-care strategies to support marginalized groups. Ultimately, embedding self-care in social work education fosters resilience and well-being, preparing practitioners to navigate complex professional challenges. Finally, a tool is offered to schools of social work to strengthen their approach to self-care through the self-care program assessment (SPA).