Discussion: Trauma Trauma is ubiquitous. While trauma is most commonly associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, trauma can manifest in a myriad of different ways and not every client who experiences trauma will be diagnosed with PTSD. Social workers intervene directly with trauma when working in Veteran’s services, domestic violence/sexual assault response programs, and child protective…

Week 10: Interventions With Adults One of the most exciting and interesting aspects of social work is that the work you will do with your clients will be incredibly varied. Each client presents with a different situation, concern, and personality. The work you will do with individual adults could address mental health concerns (i.e., depression,…

Discussion 1: Online Interventions Adolescence is a time of trials and tribulations. Teens are dealing with the formation of self and identifying who they are in the world. They are also experiencing biological changes that create mood swings and at times emotional outbursts. Interventions for this group can be challenging, as adolescents often avoid asking…

Week 9: Interventions With Adolescents When working with adolescents, social workers must understand the difference between acceptable developmental behaviors and unacceptable risky behaviors. Developmental consideration should always be at the forefront when assessing and working with an adolescent. While adolescents present with many varied concerns and situations, two leading issues prevail: their relationship with their…

Discussion 1: Play Therapy Children who have been abused or traumatized in some way may benefit from working with a therapist. Children often reenact trauma through repetitious play in order to establish mastery over their emotions and integrate experiences into their history on their own terms. Through the use of toys and props, children may…

Discussion 2: Transference and Countertransference Specific skills and knowledge are essential for a social worker working with children. Understanding transference and countertransference is crucial to a healthy therapeutic relationship. Both transference and countertransference can be evident in any client–therapist relationship, but are especially important in working with children because of a common instinct among adults…

Week 8: Interventions With Children When working with children, it is essential to be aware of their developmental stage. Their language capability may be limited, so the use of alternative forms of therapy is sometimes needed. Play therapy, including art, dolls, and sandtray work, is regularly utilized with young children to help them begin to…

Discussion 1: Self-Reflection and Awareness Exploring the reasons for wanting to be in social work and examining your motives for choosing a career of helping others is very important. Your background, including childhood experiences, may be instrumental in bringing you into the field of social work. Understanding the possible connection and working to resolve any…

Week 7: Tools for Practice As an intern, even in your concentration year, it is common and expected to be nervous and unsure when you begin to work with clients. Working one-on-one with a client requires many skills that take years to learn and a feeling of mastery over these skills is a misguided goal.…

Week 6: Assessment of the Elderly/Aging We are an aging society, as evidenced by the number of individuals from the baby boomer generation in the United States (born between 1946 and 1964) who have begun to turn 65. According to the United States Census Bureau (2013), there are more than 41 million Americans who are…