Practice Behaviors:
6.1: Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multi-disciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies
6.2: Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies
Competency 6 Narrative:
In order to establish trust and rapport with both clients and constituencies, I have recognized that engagement is a primary component of social work practice. I continually demonstrate this with the clients I serve at my agency through utilizing empathy, self-reflection, and interpersonal skills during my interactions with them. Additionally, I consistently apply knowledge obtained through field experience and the classroom in order to effectively engage clients of various diverse backgrounds.
Evidence 1 (Field):
There have been several scenarios within my practicum setting where I have demonstrated empathy and interpersonal skills in order to successfully engage clients. During a particular instance, a mother called the office panicking after learning her ex-husband had obtained custody of their six-year-old son. Because of her emotional state, she initially wasn’t able to fully comprehend the reasoning for this and the steps she needed to take to gain visitation with him. As a mother, I was able to effectively communicate with her through the utilization of empathy and interpersonal skills. A journal entry detailing this experience can be found here (week 3, November 18).
Evidence 2 (Class):
For my Social Work Practice with Individuals class, I conducted a 15 minute interview with a pseudo-client during which an eco-map and ACE/resiliencies assessment was completed. This experience enabled me to utilize multi-disciplinary frameworks in order better understand the connection between my client’s presenting concerns and his environment and to effectively engage with him. This particular interview can be viewed here
Evidence 3 (Additional):
During an initial interview at my practicum agency, the client expressed her environmental concerns pertaining to her home. Because of this, I was able to effectively evaluate the environmental impact on this particular client and how this coincided with the current struggles she was experiencing. A journal entry detailing this experience can be viewed here (week 4, October 29).
Skills Used: I continually initiated empathy and demonstrated active listening, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage each client I served.
Knowledge Used: To fulfill these competencies I applied knowledge obtained from Social Work Interviewing Skills and Social Work Practice with Individuals. These classes taught me the importance of engagement with clients as well as various methods to incorporate to effectively do so, such as evaluating the impact of environment on a client’s presenting concerns, applying theoretical frameworks, and reflecting empathy in correlation with the utilization of interpersonal skills.
Values Present: The social work values of service, dignity and worth of the person, and the importance of human relationships were all present within the practice behaviors demonstrated. Service and dignity and worth of the person were reflected through my continual engagement with clients as I recognized the dignity and worth of each client and reflected this through my ability to “start where the client is” and establishing a trusting rapport with them. The value of the importance of human relationships was reflected through my ability to create and maintain an effective, ongoing therapeutic relationship with clients.
Cognitive Processes Used: For each of the practice behaviors demonstrated, I recalled (knowledge domain) the knowledge gained from both experience and theoretical frameworks and applied (application domain) this through effective engagement with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Affective Processes Used: In order to effectively engage each client, I addressed them respectfully and listened (receiving domain) to their presenting concerns. I exemplified (characterization domain) recognition of my client as an individual through responding with consideration of their specific values, preferences, and needs.
Theoretical Foundation: The theory that most closely coincides with the practice behaviors demonstrated is the the Illusion of Asymmetric Insight. This theory suggests that we understand others better than they understand us. However, as a social work practitioner, to treat each client as experts of their own experience is essential to effective engagement and practice. Despite our assumptions of what we believe is best for a client, we must encourage and empower within our clients the ability to make the best choices for themselves.