Getting to the root of the problem, first CBT session monday!

Every week in McLuckie class, i learn a new tool to apply into my practicum placement and "practice" as you will.  This week, McLuckie said something that spoke true at my placement.  Clients with socialization issues, throw them in socialization classes - all of them.  Without getting down the the root of the problem.  We treat everyone the same but the fact is, not everyone is the same.  And I realized, that's what we were doing at the ability hub.  See autistic kids have themes that stick out all the time to me.  Socialization is a big one and all we do is throw them in these classes.  We refer them to resources without looking deeper into what they are looking for.

So I decided I'm going to try and get into the root of the problem with some narrative therapy tricks I've learned from Mishka Lysack and McLuckie.  The big circle that represents your life and circling within it, including problems - what makes up your life.  The chart of  bio, psyco, familial etc.

I love all the tools I'm learning, and on Monday I'm looking forward to applying some of these skills.  I'm nervous but I'm trying to do my homework as much as possible so that I can do a good session with families.

McLuckie also said something this last week too.  He said you can always control your time with clients.  Like if you were doing CBT, he actually said CBT which was funny - and it was your first time (ah! How did he know this?!?) you don't want to do it all in one day cause it'll be shitty sessions.  I know this.  And it makes sense.  You need to give yourself time to prep. and be ready.  3 days just isn't enough to spread things out but I'm hoping this week to come will help me learn, and even if I make mistakes - at least I stepped out of the box :)

Rewind: YWCA Mary Dover practicum offer

I remember walking out of the YWCA practicum interview with a sinking feeling in my stomache.  During the interview the lady who may have been a co supervisor said "It sounds like you need to go to sherriff king".  That's because all my experiences have been around children and programming around children's needs.  I wrote a letter after my interview just to make sure that I didn't leave on a bad note.  There were so many other canidates that I was sure I wasn't going to get it but I wrote a letter anyway.  I didn't wanna be a one trick pony, if that's where I was headed.

It turned out I was offered a position but I was also offered a position at the ability hub.  i was in a conundrum.  I felt I had faught so hard just to be the womans shelter but ultimately felt that if they didn't want me in the first place, I would have a hard time defending myself every step of the way when I was there.  I decided then that i would accept at the ability hub instead.

"The difference between an MSW student and a BSW student is that an MSW student is able to practice within a framework..." Alan McLuckie

One of my main questions trailing me as I started my masters was 'what am I doing, what am I knowing that a BSW student might not necessarily know or do'.  I often wrote this in my papers as I began reflection papers in my MSW degree.  When I started at the ability hub, I was doing phone screens and assessments that I thought a bsw student if trained for the same role would be able to do.  Further along I began to learn how my practice began to differ.

Self Reflection - on a regular basis-I began to naturally self reflect on my work with clients and my own practice of what I could do to make it better and more 'social work' like.  I began to practice in my own way and do things I believed a social worker should do such as exploring more of family dynamics.

I set out on a journey for myself and in between I have professors help guide me in what i was looking for.  I had professors give me tools such as how to start a narrative conversation and assessment tools that would be useful to me in the future to use with families.

Putting it in my "ticklet trunk" as mcLuckie would say from Dr. Dressup.  I miss Mr. Dressup.  I looked forward to when he drew and did crafts because I would always try and replicate it right after with my little brother following me everywhere.

I looked back at my work at a BSW level and realized that I have more control in practicum now.  I am juggling my own caseload and I don't really have anyone watching me except to check in on a weekly basis.  It's nice to have a clinical team to support the work that you do and bounce ideas off of each other.

Working in a non-profit agency compared to child welfare is so different.  There's more flexibility in the work that I do with families.  I can split my time between paperwork, meetings, and designing things for the ability hub.

Learning as a spoiled student:

I am in such a "spoiled" position compared to some of my other peers who are juggling family, children, and financial stability.  I am able to focus strictly on school and my studies.  I have a boyfriend who is a chef and makes me lunch everyday for me - whatever my heart desires pretty much.  I don't have to worry about being broke because even if I do reach that point - I have a net to catch me.  My sisters and parents always offer to fund me on a regular basis however I am determined to fund myself, pay for my car on my own while I am going through school and budget.  I often feel guilty of how good I have it in life right now.  This is the "unpacking the white knapsack" piece by peggy mcintosh who often comes up in papers that i write.  if we are not conscious of the privledges we hold, we were taught to not see them.