Reflection On Social Work

Before beginning the Master of Social Work program at Laurier I figured I had a strong understanding of what social work was. However, I quickly learned that I had only scratched the surface. I knew oppression existed, but I never understood the depth of it. I now know that I was afraid of it. It was easy for me to stay silent, because it was such a comfortable position to be in. Doing nothing meant I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. This was influenced by the privilege I had.

The class SW 6030 Human Development and the Social Environment has brought new insights and makes me see some topics in a different perspective. The critical reflection paper number one will integrate different concepts that I learned so far in this class.

Setting a boundary is an important core value in the field of social work. According to the Social Work Code of Ethics, “social workers should provide and represent themselves as competent only within the boundaries of their education, training, license, certification, consultation received, supervised experience, or other relevant professional experience” (Code of Ethics of the NASW). Professional helpers are generally compassionate people, but they also need to recognize the value of setting limits. This was the case when I worked as an adjunct instructor, which included providing individual tutoring. Sara Towns (name changed), a student and distant cousin, evoked the possible clouding of boundaries. For new social workers, this kind of reflection may be helpful as they define their roles. Through a series of professional and personal experiences with Sara, I learned that boundaries must be maintained to foster a positive relationship and prevent potential conflicts.

Theory informed practice during my first internship at Teen Court. Educating parents and teens regarding the developmental stages help both parties to understand reason for behaviors. Many parents share they have minimal knowledge of the basics of biological development. Furthermore, communication between the parent and teen improved once the basic knowledge of brain development was explained. In chapter one of the text Applying Theory to Generalist Social Work Practice, the author talks about an important key element within any relationship, which is resolution can occur when there is understanding (Langer & Lietz, 2015). A common trend observed facilitating groups is the breakdown in communication due to lack of understanding between teen and parent.

I have almost 18 years of full time experience as a Youth Outreach Worker I and working with at-risk high impacted gang-intentional youth in proving intervention services starting in 1998 with the City of San Jose Mayor’s Intervention Project PRIDE Programs. I provided mobile street Outreach and provided citywide gang mediation and intervention services to all the City of San Jose schools and gang impacted neighborhoods citywide. My service target was at risk gang impacted /intentional youth to try to deter them from taking part in delinquent/gang behavior and lifestyles. I also facilitated gang awareness presentations to Community groups, parent groups and service provider programs. Attended school safety meetings and receive individual referrals from law enforcement, schools, and community-based organizations.

Being the social worker and listening to Rachelle story was a much better experience than my first one because I felt more confident in myself. I have a full understanding of the importance of listening and exploring the issue further. As the listener, I did not find myself getting distracted at all when Rachelle was telling her story because her story intrigues me. Her story intrigues me because I wanted to know more. I wanted to dig deeper into how her experiences help her cope with real life. I was fully present, sitting up straight, leading in, and making eye contact with her. I listened to all the pain, and confusion she endured as a child and even growing up into adulthood. Her story brought me sadness, but it also brought me joy because

When the therapist checked in regards the client's symptoms and behaviors during the last week, the client reported that she felt happy because she is almost done with her assignments and homework for this year as well as her grades are As, Bs, and has one C- which she is happy that she achieved comparing to last year. Client reported that she is excited that she is going to Six Flags as a prize for the school party that she helped her colleagues and teacher to get it done. The client reported that she feels proud as she finished most of her assignments and projects for this semester as well as most of her tests as she has a goal to get straights As for this semester and she does not feel tired and overwhelmed anymore. When the therapist asked the client about her plans during the summer, the client reported that she will be in the summer program at school to finish as much as she can during the summer to be able to graduate next year, the client added that she is motivated to achieve more progress to build her future career, the client also mentioned that she will go to Florida on a trip with her grandfather because of the 18th birthday present.

I was faced with a similar question in a previous class, and it was really hard to come up with an answer. Based on personal experiences traveling around the world and learning, and experiencing multiple cultures, it has given me a different outlook on American. These experiences have taught me put myself in another’s shoes, and try to see life through their lens. One’s personal beliefs, values, and actions aren’t a barrier to my ability to perform tasks, or services. I believe that humans are what they are, and that everyone is unique in the way that they think, feel, and want to live their lives. When asking myself, “What bothered me the most about the book?” it allowed me to realize a personal bias that I have. I believe that the worst thing that a human can do is to harm a child. Throughout the book you hear stories of neglect, suffering and trauma. These children are living in unimaginable environments that most people can’t even fathom. Drugs, murder, hunger, and poverty all have very negative effects on development.

Throughout the semester, we learned about the different aspects one goes through while studying social work; family, poverty, mental health, drugs, education, and the list goes on. I was able to connect well with the different content we were learning because of what I had experience during the service learning I had chosen. My service learning allowed me not only more of an understanding, but personal growth and a bigger connection to this social work course.

During my junior year of college, I secured an internship at a juvenile re-entry organization, A Better Way, Inc., located in Trenton, New Jersey, the town where I was born and raised. A Better Way, Inc. provides a range of resources to the surrounding community, such as support groups, community service opportunities, specialized job training, and referrals to other programs and resources. Clients varied in age and gender, but the majority were people of color. As an intern, I was supervised by a Licensed Social Worker and specialized in counseling and outreach. My position entailed assisting the organization with intake interviews and also co-facilitating several of their men’s discussion groups. While reflecting on this experience, I realized how much I valued the work I was doing because it positively impacted my community. These feelings confirmed that social work would be a fulfilling career path for me.

When admission acceptance was offered by Concord University’s Masters of Social Work (MSW) Program, the main goal from that honorary point was to learn how to serve at-risk populations, micro and macro specifically, enhancing well-being and restoring empowerment within others. Mezzo practice also incorporates both micro and macro levels to address issues of clients but on a larger scale. Micro and macro levels of practice can also be executed concurrently. The motives behind enrolling in the HBSE course was to acquire knowledge on how to interpret in-depth analysis about human behavior on all practice levels, evaluate archetypes of culture & environments, examine different theoretical approaches, and assess and adopt various assessment models to incorporate in individualized practice. Field practicum experience in community organization, treatment counseling, or working with socially disadvantaged individuals and/or families is preferred. Specific skills and knowledge on diversity, individual & (intra-/inter-) group dynamics, and determining clinical treatment for psychological factors are skills that are wanting to be gained from this course.

In some social work settings, people may contact an agency or hospital intake department and have no more than brief contacts. Social workers can have an impact on people’s lives, even though their connection is of short duration. On the front line, social workers need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective screening, assessment, and referral with the intention of favorable results. This was the case early in my career, as a drug counseling coordinator, at an addiction council. This reflection may be helpful to social work students or new practitioners. In an intake interview with a caller, I learned how building rapport, showing empathy, being non-judgmental, and offering hope created positive

In this reflection essay, I will demonstrate my learning experience in this counseling session. I will talk about my strength, weakness, verbal, nonverbal expression, including improvements needed to become more efficient in the social work profession. I will also speak about a learning tool called process recording in Social work profession. This process recording was done with the help, with my fantastic Daughter Kendra Shelton as the client and my incredible husband Michael McVay as Video Recorder /producer.

With this paper, I am to identify the specific area(s) and/or settings of social work I foresee myself working in using a process of critical reflection. To do this, I begin by discussing social location with regards my immigrant background and socioeconomic status. Hence, how such identities will influence my particular approach to work in a clinical setting such as that of a hospital. Additionally, I delve into the ways in which my lived experiences of constant hospital visits have also influenced my interest in future mental health work. Following this, I will further address, considering the above, among other intersections, the challenges I expect to encounter in a future practice such as a hospital. I will identify and describe how I will develop and incorporate practice skills such as, the micro skills of interviewing, effective communication, and so on. Lastly, I will briefly outline the three additional areas aside from mental health: working with individuals with disabilities, youth services, etc. that I will consider working in.

“Social work isn’t just a career, it’s a lifestyle, and a lesson in responsibility and relentless optimism” (Anonymous, 2015). As a sophomore in college, I was deeply confused on what to do with my future. I had wanted to be a nurse, but was not experiencing the enjoyment I had thought I would. I had always had a desire to help others, it was just a matter of how. I explored several different career paths, such as education, law enforcement and paralegal studies. While these career options would allow me to help others, I did not feel fulfilled. I wanted to help those who weren’t just experiencing common setbacks, such as a reading deficiency or legal issues like divorce. I knew I needed to help those who truly didn’t have much to turn to. When I discovered social work, it was like a piece that had been missing in my life. During my last semester of my undergraduate education, I interned at a crisis center that provided services to those in situations of domestic violence. I was not at all excited for this internship; I didn’t believe it would be as interesting as the other placements my classmates had gotten. By my field advisor’s advice, I went into this internship willing to help, but lacking enthusiasm. My eyes were truly opened to the experiences these clients had and what they needed to help them recover and strive. I spent countless hours working with the caseload of women and children I was assigned to. It was not an option for these women to struggle or worthless in their path to recovery. I made it my goal to help them start their new lives with everything the desired to be successful. There were many nights I went home completely defeated, but I knew I was being depended on. This pushed me to be the support my clients needed. Seeing my clients leave shelter and thrive in their new life made vow to never be anything, but a social worker. I have made social work my lifestyle, not just a career.