Self-care for social workers is essential because they are trained to hold space for others through life’s most challenging moments. Whether guiding individuals through crisis, navigating systems of injustice, or advocating for change, social workers often take on the emotional weight of the communities they serve. How can they sustain that work without burning out?
That question was at the center of “Self-Care for Social Change: Preparing for Resilience in Social Work,” a panel discussion hosted by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work. Featuring Yodit Betru and Toya Jones—two leaders in trauma-informed education and practice—the event explored the importance of emotional resilience in social work and how Pitt’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program actively supports students in building lifelong self-care habits.
Why Emotional Wellness Is a Professional Priority
“[Self-care] is imperative if we want to last in this profession or any helping profession,” said Toya Jones, assistant professor and director of the BASW program. “There’s no way we can help people unless we help ourselves first.”
Jones, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, educator, and podcast host, has more than 20 years of experience supporting children, families, returning citizens, and communities affected by trauma and violence. Her current research focuses on trauma responses in social work students and the development of self-care strategies grounded in clinical best practices and community-based healing.
She reminded attendees that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, quoting physician and author Rachel Naomi Remen: “The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to walk through water without getting wet,” Jones said. “We have to realize that we need some attention to ourselves too.”
Yodit Betru, director of the MSW program and clinical assistant professor, echoed that message. With 18 years of experience in social work and education, her work centers on trauma-informed care, race-based stress, and liberatory practice. She continues to work in community mental health and recently authored “Becoming a Social Worker For Dummies” to make the field more accessible to future changemakers.
“Social work is about using empathy and connection and emotional labor,” she said. “You have to have the emotional strength and ability to come from a fully regulated space so that you’re not matching people’s distress.”
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Build Resilience With Pitt’s MSW Program
How Pitt’s MSW Program Builds Resilience
At the University of Pittsburgh, self-care is embedded into the Master of Social Work (MSW) curriculum. The program teaches students to integrate emotional wellness into their daily lives, preparing them for the demands of the profession.
Here’s how Pitt puts resilience into practice:
Personalized Self-Care Plans
Students develop individualized self-care plans rooted in research and aligned with their values and lifestyles. These may include mindfulness, movement, spiritual practices, or therapy.
Mindfulness in the Classroom
Faculty members often begin class with short breathing exercises or check-ins to help students ground themselves before engaging with emotionally complex material.
Experiential Learning
Students don’t just study self-care—they practice it. Through simulations, role-plays, and reflective exercises, they learn to identify and respond to signs of burnout and secondary trauma.
Focus on Organizational Awareness
Coursework examines systemic support structures. Students evaluate how field placements and future employers promote wellness, positioning them to advocate for change at the organizational level.
“We understand that self-care isn’t just about the individual, it’s structural too,” said Betru. “So we don’t just talk about what does it look like for you. We talk about what does it look like for the organization … and what are practices that make an organization thrive?”
Faculty With Real-World Experience
At the University of Pittsburgh, MSW faculty bring more than academic expertise; they bring lived experience from the field into the classroom.
Betru maintains an active clinical caseload to stay current with practice trends, while Jones hosts a podcast titled “Healing Overflow,” where she shares trauma-informed insights and interviews practitioners on topics ranging from PTSD awareness to faith-based healing in the Black church.
With diverse backgrounds and specialized training, faculty members model sustainable self-care practices for students.
“Depending on who your instructor is, you get the specialized expertise,” said Betru. “Dr. Jones has all these immersive experiences. I’m trained in mindfulness and breath work, and so I’ll do a lot of those kinds of activities.”
Jones emphasized that faculty practice self-care openly, demonstrating real examples to follow.
“I love what Professor Deborah Robinson does in her class. At the top of the class, every class … she does a two- to three-minute mindfulness exercise,” she said. “That’s great because [students] can choose from that pool of exercises and then begin to practice it and give it to people that they work with.”
Finding Joy in the Work
While much of the discussion focused on managing emotional fatigue, Betru reminded attendees that social work is also a profound source of joy.
“The work is really, really beautiful,” she said. “You get to be in an incredible community. So, get your own community, but even the community with the clients that we have—they’re wonderful, funny, interesting, and resilient. They make your life so much better.”
Practicing self-care, she noted, enables social workers to stay present for these moments of connection, growth, and shared humanity.
Take the Next Step With Pitt’s Online MSW Program
The University of Pittsburgh’s part-time online MSW program option offers a flexible path for working professionals who want to deepen their impact without putting their lives on hold.
Program highlights include:
- A format tailored for busy professionals balancing full-time jobs or family responsibilities
- In-state tuition rates are available regardless of location
- Practicum placements arranged in your local community
- Specialized focus on Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
Take care of yourself while you prepare to take care of others, with support from Pitt every step of the way. Apply today or connect with an enrollment advisor to learn more about the program and its admissions process.