Don't even know where I left off last. This internship has been amazing. My hopes have been met and exceeded as well as my expectations which were realistically to be frustrated, continually challenged, and always learning, which were exactly my hopes for my career. I love my supervisor, who inspires me. I feel like everything I have wanted to accomplish with this degree is coming to fruition.
I can't believe I have an office, and people refer to me as their "therapist"!!
Bliss.
I hate to jinx it, but life is good right now. I feel like I am coming to that point that is "it". It seems that there is always an opportunity for interns to stay on and take part-time positions throughout the summer. It'd be nice to get paid. Then, with luck, I could get a job there as it's incredibly difficult to get a job doing strictly psychotherapy and not casework anywhere else (ew, blah, not going to be in my job deception exclusively). My extremely clinical supervisor is quick to remind me that "we don't have time for that here", and thank god for that!
I guess moving forward I have the licensing exam to worry about, and finishing my last semester and my "thesis", whatever they're calling it. Couldn't tell you what, since Hunter doesn't liek to let on what's going on with youe future in education. BS. Anywho...There is my brief update.
Keep ing it moving!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Second year
So far so good. I forgot how much I was looking forward to my second year and its super clinical focus. I must say, although we knew we couldn't hand pick our internships I am bit disappointed that in my advisement group alone there are 3 people placed at the 2 internships I was reeeeeally gunning for. Messed up. I also am really intersted in hospital work, so I would love to explore psychiatric SW work in the future. However, in wit hthe current state of licensing this would not = LCSW hours :-(
Ahhh well.. I am looking forward to Northside. it will be nice to apply some of our practice skills and to find a new creative approach in working with children. Maybe this is exactly the kind of practice I was made for? I think it would be interesting and rewarding to observe families and practice interventions. I learn so much better when there is action going on and I can observe. Maybe play therapy is it? I think couples therapy would be awesome too. I'm starting to get really excited about jobs! We're really doing this.
I really hope that my supervision works out. My supervisor is already not increadibly available, and we did not immediately click personality wise. But I'm going to ive him the benefit of the doubt seeing as he has been there for 30+ years. But maybe he's burnt out?
I have also made it my personal campaign to get the word out about licensing. I am a natural born leader, if for no other reason then being a control freak, and stubborn and impatient, but I just want to dive in! I really hope that clinical social work has a future, and that people start taking it seriously. I just read an article that is doubtful as to curriculum keeping with clinical practice theory and clinical staying within the profession. I will definitely count myseld among those who will continue this trend, and keep it in the realm of SW values.
Others are in a prime position to take up our jobs in this state if we don't start claiming our stake and helping people to realize what we actually DO as social workers. I'm so sick of people assuming I am going to be sitting behind a desk all day in the social services office, or doing home visits for foster care...period. NOT IT PEOPLE. I was just reading a section from a licensing verdict in the NYS court that stated that the jury decidedly say NO difference in scope of practice between a clinical psychologist and a clinical social worker. I just wish that the world would realise that. We are to be valued and respected for what we do!
Strangely enough, SW's don't promote themselves as they should under their earned titles. Why should we not give credit to our profession by showing the world that the important things we do are under the umbrella of SW values and education? Why can't we make the world aware of how qualified we are? Lately easing stigma for drug treatment and intervention has been demonstrated in prominant advertising around the city. If we can make tx seem more appealing and normative, then we will continue to work without worry of losing our jobs. If healthcare works in our favor, maybe we can treat people as they should be treated.
ugh! So many thoughts, my mind is wandering. I think NASW should start a CSW awareness campaign and put us on the map and make us a reliable option for clients. Argh. The working world awaits.
Ahhh well.. I am looking forward to Northside. it will be nice to apply some of our practice skills and to find a new creative approach in working with children. Maybe this is exactly the kind of practice I was made for? I think it would be interesting and rewarding to observe families and practice interventions. I learn so much better when there is action going on and I can observe. Maybe play therapy is it? I think couples therapy would be awesome too. I'm starting to get really excited about jobs! We're really doing this.
I really hope that my supervision works out. My supervisor is already not increadibly available, and we did not immediately click personality wise. But I'm going to ive him the benefit of the doubt seeing as he has been there for 30+ years. But maybe he's burnt out?
I have also made it my personal campaign to get the word out about licensing. I am a natural born leader, if for no other reason then being a control freak, and stubborn and impatient, but I just want to dive in! I really hope that clinical social work has a future, and that people start taking it seriously. I just read an article that is doubtful as to curriculum keeping with clinical practice theory and clinical staying within the profession. I will definitely count myseld among those who will continue this trend, and keep it in the realm of SW values.
Others are in a prime position to take up our jobs in this state if we don't start claiming our stake and helping people to realize what we actually DO as social workers. I'm so sick of people assuming I am going to be sitting behind a desk all day in the social services office, or doing home visits for foster care...period. NOT IT PEOPLE. I was just reading a section from a licensing verdict in the NYS court that stated that the jury decidedly say NO difference in scope of practice between a clinical psychologist and a clinical social worker. I just wish that the world would realise that. We are to be valued and respected for what we do!
Strangely enough, SW's don't promote themselves as they should under their earned titles. Why should we not give credit to our profession by showing the world that the important things we do are under the umbrella of SW values and education? Why can't we make the world aware of how qualified we are? Lately easing stigma for drug treatment and intervention has been demonstrated in prominant advertising around the city. If we can make tx seem more appealing and normative, then we will continue to work without worry of losing our jobs. If healthcare works in our favor, maybe we can treat people as they should be treated.
ugh! So many thoughts, my mind is wandering. I think NASW should start a CSW awareness campaign and put us on the map and make us a reliable option for clients. Argh. The working world awaits.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Summer break
So far this summer I have done my best to make some money and do some needed reading, as well as reconnect with my creative side. All things are underway with a bit of R&R mixed in, and I feel I'll be refreshed for the new school year. Now, if only we knew what we were going to be doing....
I created a facebook group for out 2010 class, and feel it's necessary for us to stay connected in order to have a forum to go to after school ends. If we were all still working or looking for jobs, I'm sure it would be realized just how much our classmates were valuable to our journey.
I've changed field placements also. I just wasn't getting a good vibe from the office at my interview, felt rushed and hurried by the interviewers, and knew it wasn't going to give me the clinical experience I wanted. Despite what the field adviser told me about "clinical opportunities like that not existing" when I spoke about more daily contact hours, one happened to come along and I will now be at the Northside Center for Child Development. I met with the director of SW and got started, was recommended some reading and am gearing up for that new employee anxiety again. I think working with children and their families will be great. There is so much rich history about NS that I've been reading about, I'm proud to be a part of their team. I hope the other crew of SW's will be great to confer with also.
I'm also excited to see what creative activities I can bring to play therapy. I've been doing some reading and so much of it seems very symbolic and metaphorical-it will be a creative process for sure, and one I didn't really anticipate. I'll be able to work with diagnosis and do sessions with children and/or their parents, so there is so much ground to cover this year. It will also, I'm sure, lend itself to our research projects, of which I don't have many details. This worries me a bit.
There are so many decisions to make over the next few years. So many changes to go through, so much movement. There's a lot to look forward to and I'll be excited when I can be done school and be freed from shitty jobs that if I took seriously would want to slit my throat. Travel, moving to a bigger place out of the city (?), a career I can be proud of... Ahhhhhhhhhhh... all in time.
I created a facebook group for out 2010 class, and feel it's necessary for us to stay connected in order to have a forum to go to after school ends. If we were all still working or looking for jobs, I'm sure it would be realized just how much our classmates were valuable to our journey.
I've changed field placements also. I just wasn't getting a good vibe from the office at my interview, felt rushed and hurried by the interviewers, and knew it wasn't going to give me the clinical experience I wanted. Despite what the field adviser told me about "clinical opportunities like that not existing" when I spoke about more daily contact hours, one happened to come along and I will now be at the Northside Center for Child Development. I met with the director of SW and got started, was recommended some reading and am gearing up for that new employee anxiety again. I think working with children and their families will be great. There is so much rich history about NS that I've been reading about, I'm proud to be a part of their team. I hope the other crew of SW's will be great to confer with also.
I'm also excited to see what creative activities I can bring to play therapy. I've been doing some reading and so much of it seems very symbolic and metaphorical-it will be a creative process for sure, and one I didn't really anticipate. I'll be able to work with diagnosis and do sessions with children and/or their parents, so there is so much ground to cover this year. It will also, I'm sure, lend itself to our research projects, of which I don't have many details. This worries me a bit.
There are so many decisions to make over the next few years. So many changes to go through, so much movement. There's a lot to look forward to and I'll be excited when I can be done school and be freed from shitty jobs that if I took seriously would want to slit my throat. Travel, moving to a bigger place out of the city (?), a career I can be proud of... Ahhhhhhhhhhh... all in time.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
End of semester and a peek at next year!
Wow. This semester has FLOWN by! I was tempted to read the post before this to see where I left off, but I think I'll read it after.
I can't believe I am half way to getting my degree and license! I also got my field placement for next year. It is a chemical addiction and gambling hotline and outreach funded by OASIS. I will counsel over the phone 2 days and have face to face psychotherapy sessions the other day. There is a nice stipend, too! (lucky!) and I can likely put 350 hours towards the education and training prerequisite for a CASAC certificate, so that is a great credential.
I haven't found out too much about the program yet, but having a state funded (I believe it is state run too) hot line would be great for my resume, seeing as I'm gunning for a state job eventually ($$$). Also, maybe I can continue part-time doing psychotherapy there if all goes well next spring? That could count towards clinical hours perhaps?
I'm trying to be optimistic. I realize that not everyone can have a super clinical experience, like the one I was holding out for with 12 hours of client time a week, like at the NYSPI, but maybe I can volunteer there this summer? I just hope I don't end up being stuck in a cubicle all day by myself and making referrals like a 311 operator. You can't tell me that no other placement is available that can give me more face contact hours. But maybe having someone on the phone will help me be more confident? Help pick up on verbal cues with the lack of bodily cues? I don't know.
Either way, and extra $100-$200 a week would help out considerably, and the neighborhood's great (wall street) and I WILL get to do psychotherapy with a well qualified supervisor to boot. The field supervisor @ Hunter said that it was a new initiative, so on site training with the boss might=job afterwards, if it's a good fit. Hmmm.. I just wonder what consideration went in to me being placed here, and not anywhere else. I also knew that not being bilingual would eventually fuck me over in doing SW in an urban setting, I just didn't think it would be so soon.
anyway. This weekend will be beautiful and hopefully will nto deter me too much form doing my thesis for Human Behavior, my favorite class so far. I'm writing a paper on developmental implications for Pedophillia as seen through psychoanalytic theory and object relations theory. So far, very interesting. It has also helped me realize that I forgot how great reading is!!! I've been keeping up half decently this semester, thoguh the work load has seem really pitiful compared to last semester. They do say the first is the toughest though. I just had bigger papers due and bonafide midterms and papers due more frequesntly. Damnm I really wish every class was structured as well as HBSE. I wonder what next semester will bring for that class. All I can say is I'm glad I took Theories of personality in undergrad, or I might be lost.
I have so much I want to read and explore this summer, on top of maybe finding a volunteer position or a workshop (CBT?). Hmm.
Spring break was a great reflecting period. Here is what I've concluded
-My field placement was great, though I want to assert my professionalism at my next placement. I enjoy the lack of micromanaging and casualness, but sometimes the line is crossed. I will especially make sure that men know I'm not interested in being harrassed.
-My clinical skills were sharpened and put to work. Our clinical class finally hit the spot of allowing us to apply theory. As a placement, this agency was a good learning experience, but also taught me that it is not clinical enough for my interests, and is too small to provide the interdiciplinary experience I crave. A larger agency might alos offer more trainings on site. YAI was AWESOME for that.
-I'm DONE with "casework".
-I want to start my own initiatives at my next placement. I want to be rememebred.
more for later. Time to get an afterwork drink!!!
I can't believe I am half way to getting my degree and license! I also got my field placement for next year. It is a chemical addiction and gambling hotline and outreach funded by OASIS. I will counsel over the phone 2 days and have face to face psychotherapy sessions the other day. There is a nice stipend, too! (lucky!) and I can likely put 350 hours towards the education and training prerequisite for a CASAC certificate, so that is a great credential.
I haven't found out too much about the program yet, but having a state funded (I believe it is state run too) hot line would be great for my resume, seeing as I'm gunning for a state job eventually ($$$). Also, maybe I can continue part-time doing psychotherapy there if all goes well next spring? That could count towards clinical hours perhaps?
I'm trying to be optimistic. I realize that not everyone can have a super clinical experience, like the one I was holding out for with 12 hours of client time a week, like at the NYSPI, but maybe I can volunteer there this summer? I just hope I don't end up being stuck in a cubicle all day by myself and making referrals like a 311 operator. You can't tell me that no other placement is available that can give me more face contact hours. But maybe having someone on the phone will help me be more confident? Help pick up on verbal cues with the lack of bodily cues? I don't know.
Either way, and extra $100-$200 a week would help out considerably, and the neighborhood's great (wall street) and I WILL get to do psychotherapy with a well qualified supervisor to boot. The field supervisor @ Hunter said that it was a new initiative, so on site training with the boss might=job afterwards, if it's a good fit. Hmmm.. I just wonder what consideration went in to me being placed here, and not anywhere else. I also knew that not being bilingual would eventually fuck me over in doing SW in an urban setting, I just didn't think it would be so soon.
anyway. This weekend will be beautiful and hopefully will nto deter me too much form doing my thesis for Human Behavior, my favorite class so far. I'm writing a paper on developmental implications for Pedophillia as seen through psychoanalytic theory and object relations theory. So far, very interesting. It has also helped me realize that I forgot how great reading is!!! I've been keeping up half decently this semester, thoguh the work load has seem really pitiful compared to last semester. They do say the first is the toughest though. I just had bigger papers due and bonafide midterms and papers due more frequesntly. Damnm I really wish every class was structured as well as HBSE. I wonder what next semester will bring for that class. All I can say is I'm glad I took Theories of personality in undergrad, or I might be lost.
I have so much I want to read and explore this summer, on top of maybe finding a volunteer position or a workshop (CBT?). Hmm.
Spring break was a great reflecting period. Here is what I've concluded
-My field placement was great, though I want to assert my professionalism at my next placement. I enjoy the lack of micromanaging and casualness, but sometimes the line is crossed. I will especially make sure that men know I'm not interested in being harrassed.
-My clinical skills were sharpened and put to work. Our clinical class finally hit the spot of allowing us to apply theory. As a placement, this agency was a good learning experience, but also taught me that it is not clinical enough for my interests, and is too small to provide the interdiciplinary experience I crave. A larger agency might alos offer more trainings on site. YAI was AWESOME for that.
-I'm DONE with "casework".
-I want to start my own initiatives at my next placement. I want to be rememebred.
more for later. Time to get an afterwork drink!!!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
That's it, I'm blogging it out!
Break has treated me well. I feel like myself again and am slowly beginning to realize that I will be back to the grueling schedule in about a week. But I am ready to dig in. In my spare time, I have read up on my own interests (Alan Watts, Dr. Bruce Perry-"The Boy who was Raised as a Dog".)
I've also been on a spiritual quest. Verbalizing my thoughts on religion vs. spirituality in terms of raising children with a moral backbone has led me to try to find a real way to define, engage and expand my spirituality, which mainly will involve nature, rhythm, cycles, and freethinking, enter: Alan W. Watts. I just don't like organized religion. I think religion has no place in spirituality because it is so indoctrinated and laced with politics. Why should politics and FEAR and admonishment and oppression go into my life lessons, my cathartic release, my essence, my unity, my spirit? It's mad.
Christianity is used to marginalize, to take strong written words misinterpreted to justify convicting people as less than, wrong or evil, and mainly, it misses the point of life on earth, every second, every day because it views life as a means to an end. I want my spirituality to allow me to find simple joys in life, to see good in people, to appreciate nature, the cosmos, love, breath, family, and so on. I feel like it is something that has always been with me, and is ready to blossom and take a strong part in everything I do. I'm looking for a mind, body and soul connection, and I suspect that some eastern philosophy would resonate with me. I've been going to yoga a lot and plan to use it as my exercise/stress release.
The more I think about social work, the more I am happy that this is the choice I've made. I had debated throughout the first semester whether or not I was settling, but I feel I have made the right choice. SW allows room for change and growth, it allows for freethinking and respect and acceptance. It doesn't pigeonhole you to one staunch theory that holds a mold to people. At New School, I thought I wanted to be a Freudian analyst, and though the principles are important and sometimes applicable, I'm finding that SW theory suits my eclectic nature. PhD's in Psychology don't often start their internships until the last year or two of study, and SW's foundation is in getting face time immediately. By the time the clinical license roles around, you have had as much or more supervised time as a clinician that a psych PhD does, and that is what matters. So I think it's unreasonable to say that a SW is less qualified or, how dare you, UNDERqualified.
The study has been wonderful. It's like a meld of sociology, social anthropology, psychology, policy, human behavior and practice theory. It has tickled so many new intellectual bones and sparked so many intellectual tangents and bouts of self-awareness. This is why I hope to blog more, so that I can look back and see how much I have grown. My confidence has waxed and waned, but I feel ultimately the better for it all. It's a nice journey to be on, and I'm glad that life has taken me here. My one wish for SW is that they can turn around their reputation so that people can understand the breadth of the work and knowledge within us.
I've also been on a spiritual quest. Verbalizing my thoughts on religion vs. spirituality in terms of raising children with a moral backbone has led me to try to find a real way to define, engage and expand my spirituality, which mainly will involve nature, rhythm, cycles, and freethinking, enter: Alan W. Watts. I just don't like organized religion. I think religion has no place in spirituality because it is so indoctrinated and laced with politics. Why should politics and FEAR and admonishment and oppression go into my life lessons, my cathartic release, my essence, my unity, my spirit? It's mad.
Christianity is used to marginalize, to take strong written words misinterpreted to justify convicting people as less than, wrong or evil, and mainly, it misses the point of life on earth, every second, every day because it views life as a means to an end. I want my spirituality to allow me to find simple joys in life, to see good in people, to appreciate nature, the cosmos, love, breath, family, and so on. I feel like it is something that has always been with me, and is ready to blossom and take a strong part in everything I do. I'm looking for a mind, body and soul connection, and I suspect that some eastern philosophy would resonate with me. I've been going to yoga a lot and plan to use it as my exercise/stress release.
The more I think about social work, the more I am happy that this is the choice I've made. I had debated throughout the first semester whether or not I was settling, but I feel I have made the right choice. SW allows room for change and growth, it allows for freethinking and respect and acceptance. It doesn't pigeonhole you to one staunch theory that holds a mold to people. At New School, I thought I wanted to be a Freudian analyst, and though the principles are important and sometimes applicable, I'm finding that SW theory suits my eclectic nature. PhD's in Psychology don't often start their internships until the last year or two of study, and SW's foundation is in getting face time immediately. By the time the clinical license roles around, you have had as much or more supervised time as a clinician that a psych PhD does, and that is what matters. So I think it's unreasonable to say that a SW is less qualified or, how dare you, UNDERqualified.
The study has been wonderful. It's like a meld of sociology, social anthropology, psychology, policy, human behavior and practice theory. It has tickled so many new intellectual bones and sparked so many intellectual tangents and bouts of self-awareness. This is why I hope to blog more, so that I can look back and see how much I have grown. My confidence has waxed and waned, but I feel ultimately the better for it all. It's a nice journey to be on, and I'm glad that life has taken me here. My one wish for SW is that they can turn around their reputation so that people can understand the breadth of the work and knowledge within us.
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