2 Hours / 2 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on AI for Social Work 201: Advanced Generative AI for Social Work Practice is presented by Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW.

Designed for social workers who are ready to deepen their AI expertise, this advanced seminar offers the opportunity to elevate your generative AI skills. This program explores advanced prompting with ChatGPT-4 and discusses the future trends in AI in the social work field. We review the technical aspects of generative AI, with a special focus on leveraging the latest paid version, ChatGPT-4. Participants refine their generative AI skills, learning to tailor AI outputs with precision and creativity and how to customize their ChatGPT-4 profile. The program also places a significant emphasis on advanced prompting techniques to obtain more accurate responses from ChatGPT-4.

The program also delves into the ethical landscape, discussing the balance between innovation and the responsible use of AI, centering around privacy, consent, and the prevention of bias, digital equity & accessibility, ensuring AI is used in a way that upholds the dignity and rights of our social work profession. In addition, we explore the trajectory of AI in social work, exploring emerging trends and anticipated advancements. Participants discuss how AI can evolve social work practices, policy, and guideline development. Generative AI Advocacy Training Tool Kit is also provided. The program also concludes with a facilitated exchange of ideas among peers, fostering a network of social work AI practitioners in the field.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe advanced prompt engineering techniques to effectively harness the capabilities of ChatGPT-4.
  • 2 Describe hands-on experience in enhancing and personalizing ChatGPT-4’s functionality to meet specific professional needs.
  • 3 Describe future trends in social work and the integration of AI in the field with tools for advocacy.

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for social workers and allied professionals—including those specializing in clinical social work, counseling, therapy, and related fields—who are interested in deepening their understanding of generative AI and its practical applications in social work. It is ideal for individuals seeking to integrate technology and AI into assessment, intervention, policy development, and ethical decision-making within their professional practice.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Social Workers
    • Counselors
    • Therapists
    • Case Managers
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Policy Analysts
    • Social Work Educators
    • Community Program Coordinators

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who wish to deepen their expertise in generative AI and its application in social work.


    • Beginner: Participants are new to generative AI and ChatGPT-4, seeking foundational knowledge and basic skills for integrating AI into social work practice.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience with generative AI tools and are looking to expand their skills in advanced prompting, ethical considerations, and personalizing ChatGPT-4 for professional use.

    • Advanced: Participants are proficient with generative AI and ChatGPT-4, aiming to refine advanced prompt engineering techniques, lead discussions on AI trends, and contribute to advocacy and best practices in the field.

  • Practice Setting

    Practitioners work across clinical, community, educational, and policy environments that provide direct services, coordinate programs, and shape systems of care. They operate in tech-enabled, interdisciplinary settings that use secure, data-informed workflows to support assessment, intervention, and ethical decision-making across in-person, hybrid, and virtual models.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Community mental health clinics
    • Hospitals and integrated care systems
    • Private and group practices
    • Schools and universities
    • Nonprofits and community-based organizations
    • Government and public health agencies
    • Child welfare and behavioral health programs
    • Telehealth platforms and digital health services
Presented By

Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW

Dr. Badillo-Diaz is an experienced school administrator and counseling director with a demonstrated history of working in community mental health and in education as a social worker. Currently, Dr. Badillo-Diaz is a consultant focusing on the training of educators and social workers with MABD Consulting. She is also an adjunct professor and board member of the National School Social Work Association of America. She is also the author of the blog, “The AI Social Worker”, a 21st Century Skills and AI guide for Social Workers. Her areas of interest include 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning programming, school social work practice, education, youth mental health, clinical supervision for social workers, AI Applications, data management, and career development.

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Prompting for Gen AI Overview

  • Review Advanced Prompting Techniques & Live Demonstration

  • Participant Advanced Prompting Practice

  • How to update and personalize your ChatGPT-4

  • Participant Worktime to update their Chat GPT-4 Profiles

  • Future of AI and Social Work Research and Trends

  • Networking & Sharing Best Practices

  • Communicating with Clients and Trainees About AI

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.