Competency 6: Engagement

It is important for social workers to regularly engage with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. One of the core values of social work is the importance of human relationships, and social workers must recognize and understand the theories that drive human behavior. As an advanced practitioner, I will obtain and evaluate knowledge about different resources available for clients, and apply that knowledge as able. I will also implement strategies that engage diverse clients and increase the effectiveness of practice. I understand that my personal experiences may affect my ability to work with diverse clients, and I will continue to work towards combating those barriers. I will continue to value relationship-building and collaboration with other agencies to facilitate the best care for our constituents. I will implement evidence-based practices with my clients that I have learned through continuous research. 

6.1 Examine evidence-based practices to prepare for professional engagement across systems

Course Evidence: In my Advanced Clinical Practice class, I learned how to incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques with clients in a mental health setting. CBT focuses on the principle that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all intertwined and that an individual may not be able to control a feeling, but can control a thought which influences feelings and behaviors. For one of my assignments, I was given examples of poor dialogue that therapists may use and asked to correct that dialogue based on interventions I had learned about CBT. I demonstrated the cognitive level of evaluation by critiquing the CBT dialogue and presenting better dialogue based on evidence-based practices. CBT Dialogue

Field Evidence: I researched and evaluated a model of Equine-Assisted Therapy called Natural Lifemanship. In this model, practitioners use horses along with the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) developed by Dr. Bruce Perry to provide services to children who have experienced trauma. NMT combines neuroscience and emotional attributes to provide trauma-based care and urges practitioners to remember to incorporate the 6 Rs (relational, relevant, repetitive, rewarding, rhythmic, and respectful) when developing activities and providing services to clients who have experienced trauma. I used many of the techniques from NMT when developing the Dream Catchers program at Mending Arrow Ranch, since most behavioral and emotional issues in children stem from some sort of trauma in their lives. Please view my Special Project for more details on how I incorporated NMT in the Dream Catchers program.

Additional Evidence: I also researched and incorporated components from the EAGALA Model of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and PATH International when developing the Dream Catchers program at Mending Arrow Ranch. For more information on how I consolidated these theories into the Dream Catchers program, please view my Special Project.

6.2 Engage with systems utilizing evidence-based practice strategies

Course Evidence: In my Advanced Clinical Practice and Interventions class, I facilitated a faux therapy session with a client who was experiencing some issues with her mother-in-law. I utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques in my session. This particular therapy can be used with diverse populations as it focuses on the inner thoughts, feelings, and actions of each individual client. I allowed the client to express her feelings and thoughts on a particular subjection and guided her to the solution that she felt was best for her (within reason), rather than the solution I thought was best. CBT helped me reign in my own values and beliefs and allowed me to guide the client to her own conclusions based on her culture, values, and feelings of the situation. This demonstrated the affective domain of characterization, where I was able to keep my own value system but also exhibit respect for the dignity and worth of my client. CBT Self-Evaluation

Field Evidence: At Mending Arrow Ranch, I worked with a client who had issues with expressing her negative emotions. She seemed to internalize her anger and hurt for a period of time until she burst at inappropriate times with others over minor issues. We worked on being assertive with the horses and building a partnership between her and the horse. She was able to see that scolding the horse when necessary provided better communication and the horse was able to know what she wanted and respond in an appropriate manner. By asking for what she wanted and expressing herself throughout the session, it helped keep her from getting angry later on. We discussed how this can be used in her home life as well, and how it is harmful for her to internalize her feelings and needs. In my engagement with this client, I showed the affective value of characterization by displaying behavior that was congruent with the core values of social work.  MAR Client Engagement

Additional Evidence: Mending Arrow Ranch does not have a specified volunteer coordinator due to the small staff size of the organization. My supervisor and I found that many of the volunteers at the Ranch showed up unorganized and unclear on basic safety and instructions. We decided to set up a day for a volunteer training workshop, and individuals would be required to attend in order to obtain volunteer hours at anytime during the year at the Ranch (whether for school or other organizations). This training included information about safety, side-walking, mentoring students, basic horse care, and farm chores. I assisted my supervisor in planning and teaching the topics listed, and designed a social media post with event details.