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.
Showing posts with label clinical social work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clinical social work. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Gaining speed
So, after meeting with my supervisor on Friday, I have yet again reinforced how much I need guidance and structure, and to not be afraid to be assertive, make my presence know, and leave my door open. It has taken me a bit to realize my role here, and if I'm going to get on the ball here, I'm going to have to figure out a lot on my own. This is fine, I enjoy working alone, I just need to know where to start and would prefer some structure. Maybe I should mention that.
I had a great conversation with a friend last night by pretending, in a way, I was in a session. It makes really effective conversation with anyone when you are using good listening skills, and asking good, non-judgmental open-ended questions. I felt really confident and was aware of the levels of emotionality going on. I could tell when certain nerves were hit, or subject area was frustrating or unclear. I could draw out a list of goals based just on this one conversation, and that made me really confident in my upcoming meetings with clients. The important thing is that I don't get so wrapped up in my own processes that I forget to listen.
Its funny, there is a TON of down time here (hence the blogging) but don't want to give the impression that I don't want to be focusing on the agency. I will definitely express wanting to be more involved and needing some structure at my next supervisor meeting. I will also try not to stay up so late the night before my internship!
On the money front, I'll be just squeaking by. I was thinking about asking the parents for a small loan to get on top of things, but wouldn't you know, after being told that my private loan could go into deferment due to new rules involving grad school, all 8 people I talked to assured me of this and kept telling me "it's being processed" ten times, all of a sudden, deferment was never offered for grad students and now what was supposed to be retroactive payment deferment is now delinquent loans almost 30 days late! WHAT THE FUCK!!! This seems pretty fishy considering 8 people told me this thing was going through and I specifically mentioned my situation. couldn't have anything to do with Wachovia being bought and investment banks hurting, could it? Anyone who deals with your money will inevitably find a way to fuck you over.
Anyway. I guess that's just another thing I can't pay for. This country makes it impossible for people to be highly educated professionals. Medical doctors can't afford to go to school, let alone practice and pay of their $250,000+ worth of loans. Post-secondary education, even public, is an elitist institution promoting social darwinism. Survival of the trust-fund babies and independently wealthy. I'm moving to Montreal.
I had a great conversation with a friend last night by pretending, in a way, I was in a session. It makes really effective conversation with anyone when you are using good listening skills, and asking good, non-judgmental open-ended questions. I felt really confident and was aware of the levels of emotionality going on. I could tell when certain nerves were hit, or subject area was frustrating or unclear. I could draw out a list of goals based just on this one conversation, and that made me really confident in my upcoming meetings with clients. The important thing is that I don't get so wrapped up in my own processes that I forget to listen.
Its funny, there is a TON of down time here (hence the blogging) but don't want to give the impression that I don't want to be focusing on the agency. I will definitely express wanting to be more involved and needing some structure at my next supervisor meeting. I will also try not to stay up so late the night before my internship!
On the money front, I'll be just squeaking by. I was thinking about asking the parents for a small loan to get on top of things, but wouldn't you know, after being told that my private loan could go into deferment due to new rules involving grad school, all 8 people I talked to assured me of this and kept telling me "it's being processed" ten times, all of a sudden, deferment was never offered for grad students and now what was supposed to be retroactive payment deferment is now delinquent loans almost 30 days late! WHAT THE FUCK!!! This seems pretty fishy considering 8 people told me this thing was going through and I specifically mentioned my situation. couldn't have anything to do with Wachovia being bought and investment banks hurting, could it? Anyone who deals with your money will inevitably find a way to fuck you over.
Anyway. I guess that's just another thing I can't pay for. This country makes it impossible for people to be highly educated professionals. Medical doctors can't afford to go to school, let alone practice and pay of their $250,000+ worth of loans. Post-secondary education, even public, is an elitist institution promoting social darwinism. Survival of the trust-fund babies and independently wealthy. I'm moving to Montreal.
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