Recognizing Rhetorical Ruptures to Improve Care in Social Work

2 CEUs - may be counted as clinical CEUs

Recognizing Rhetorical Ruptures to Improve Care in Social Work

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CST via virtual platform

Presenter: Jean E. Balestrery Ph.D., MA, MSW, LICSW, MAC

2 CEUs - may be counted as clinical or general CEUs
MN licensees: If your license was issued on or after 7/1/2021, this webinar can be counted towards the new required 4 CEUs in cultural responsiveness content.


This presentation expands the language and lens of social work across diverse fields of practice. More specifically, it explores the often-occurring cultural disjuncture that exists in mainstream healthcare systems for many people. This cultural disjuncture is based on rhetorical ruptures— gaps between the rhetoric of care service provided and cultural communication practices (Balestrery, 2014, 2015). Rhetorical ruptures are rooted in communication, a complex and cultural system. Recognizing rhetorical ruptures can assist social workers to improve interpersonal practice skills, promote equity and reduce disparities. 

Grounded in an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, rhetorical ruptures can occur at all levels of care. Repairing these ruptures includes connecting histories to contemporary healing and cultural ideologies to communication codes. In so doing, the use of self as instrument is foundational. Attendees will be able to define rhetorical ruptures and describe their impact and a conceptual framework. They will also be able to identify a rhetorical rupture in social work practice, as well as ways the self can be used to repair them.


About the Presenter
Dr. Jean E. Balestrery is an interdisciplinary Scholar-Practitioner expanding sight lines across the life course. Dr. Balestrery holds a Joint Ph.D. in Social Work and Anthropology from University of Michigan, a MA in Anthropology from University of Michigan, a MSW from University of Washington and a BA from Brown University. She is a Spirit of Eagles Hampton Faculty Fellow with many years of combined experience in research, teaching and practice, which spans varied locations including the Arctic. Primary interests center on the health and well-being among culturally diverse communities. Among Dr. Balestrery’s selected honors include presenting research nationally and internationally, publishing in peer review academic journals and community-based news media. Dr. Balestrery has previously served a three-year term as Councilor on the Council of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression with the Council on Social Work Education. Currently, Dr. Balestrery is serving on the State of Minnesota Medicaid Services Advisory Committee and the NASW National Committee for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues.

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