Intervening with Individuals, Families, and Communities
Intervention is social work in action. Social workers utilize intervention as a way of addressing needs and assisting clients as they strive to reach their goals. Social workers are trained to utilize their knowledge of theories and human behavior to select appropriate interventions.Social workers should be aware of how to adapt interventions to meet cultural needs. As new interventions develop, social workers can evaluate research and attend trainings to continue to develop knowledge of new techniques.
Through my MSW education, I have gained a skill set that will allow me to competently intervene with individuals, groups, and communities. Some interventions are clinical based, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while macro interventions could include human resource policies. As an ethical social worker, I will continue to learn about and use evidence-based interventions that are appropriate for diverse populations.
8.1 Implement clinical evidence-based interventions with individuals, families, and/or groups
Course Evidence: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence based psychotherapy. In Advanced Clinical Practice (SOCW-611) I was able learned how to apply CBT to a variety of populations and diverse mental health needs. This video is a demonstration of CBT skills. It is a segment of a CBT session with a pseudo-client where I identify negative cognitions, explore the clients concerns, and provide psychoeducation.
Field Evidence: While completing practicum hours at Adoration Hospice, I had the opportunity to routinely visit patients and their families. During visits, I was able to provide therapy support to patients with mental health needs. Here is documentation of a visit where I was able to provide several interventions for a patient and her husband. For documentation purposes at the agency, I had to document under my field supervisors name in the system (LMSW) however I conducted the visit.
8.2 Integrate macro level evidence-based strategies with organizations and/or communities
Course: While completing the Advanced Administrative Practice course (SOCW-618) my group and I first reviewed literature and research. We wanted to develop Green Light, a non-profit shelter for Human Trafficking survivors that was grounded in evidence based interventions for that population. Part of what we included in services was a macro intervention of legal assistance as this populations often faces barriers to protection. See here for our Organization Proposal Plan that includes this intervention.
Field: Adoration Hospice of Sweetwater was lacking marketing material for volunteer recruitment. Since utilizing material and social media marketing is an evidence based practice, I was able to assist the agency in creating a Canva account and made a flyer that they could use at events and on social media as a recruitment strategy. You can see the social media post/flyer below.
Knowledge: I utilized my knowledge of basic interviewing skills, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, research, non-profit development strategies, and utilizing Canva to create marketing tools.
Values: Service is the value that I associate with intervention. When engaging with clients, I have been able to use the skills and knowledge that I have acquired in order to offer interventions that may be helpful. When working with clients, I had to make sure the interventions that I used aligned with their goals and were evidence-based.These same skills can also be applied to macro interventions. For example, I worked closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure the marketing flyer reflected their needs and information accurately.
Skills: The skills displayed while completing activities in this competency include empathy, listening, oral communication, reflection, problem solving, and designing. When working clinically with hospice patients, I made sure to listen to them and provide empathy. When problem solving, which was important so that I knew I was correctly understanding each patients goals and wishes.
Cognitive: Applying is the cognitive used for this competency. I was able to prepare myself to integrate newly learned interventions both in the classroom activities as well as in the field. Creating was another cognition used as I was able to design and implement marketing material for the hospice volunteer program.
Affective: Characterization is the affective I displayed in these practice behaviors. This is because I was able to perform a clinical role in each 8.1 activity. Creating the blueprint for for a non-profit and marketing materials required me to use the developing and designing affective.
Theory: For this competency, I choose Empowerment Theory. I choose this because I feel it is important to have an element or strengths-based empowerment when intervening with others. An example of how I did this in practice is by spending some time highlighting my pseudo-client’s strengths during the CBT session or validating the hard work a caregiver is putting into helping their loved one.