Referring To Your Process Recording From Last Week, Consider
Referring To Your Process Recording From Last Week Consider The Topic
Referring to your process recording from last week, consider the topics covered in this week’s resources and incorporate them into your blog. By Day 3 Post a blog post that includes: An explanation of how you have addressed assessment or how you might address assessment during your field education experience My internship is with Jasmine Trangucci—clinical social worker in private practice. Required Readings Birkenmaier, J., & Berg-Weger, M. (2018). The practicum companion for social work: Integrating class and fieldwork (4th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. Chapter 6, “Social Work Practice in the Field: Working with Individuals and Families” (pp. ) Savaya, R., & Gardner, F. (2012). Critical reflection to identify gaps between espoused theory and theory-in-use. Social Work, 57(2), 145–154.
Paper For Above instruction
In my field education experience with Jasmine Trangucci, a clinical social worker in private practice, I have been actively developing my understanding and application of assessment protocols that are central to effective social work practice. The integration of theoretical knowledge from academic resources with practical experience has been instrumental in shaping my approach to client evaluation and ongoing assessment.
Initially, during my process recording, I concentrated on establishing rapport and understanding clients’ presenting issues. Reflecting on Birkenmaier and Berg-Weger’s (2018) insights in Chapter 6 about working with individuals and families, I recognized the importance of comprehensive assessments that encompass not only the immediate concerns but also the contextual factors influencing clients’ lives. This aligns with the importance placed on person-in-environment perspectives, which are fundamental in social work assessments. Consequently, I have been incorporating a multidimensional approach that considers biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors affecting each client.
Moreover, Savaya and Gardner's (2012) discussion on critical reflection facilitated my awareness of the gaps between espoused theory—what I believe about assessment—and theory-in-use—how I actually implement assessment in practice. During my internship, I have made conscious efforts to bridge this gap by routinely evaluating my assessment strategies against best practices and feedback from my supervisor. This reflective process has helped me identify areas where I might rely too heavily on subjective judgment without sufficient empirical grounding or systematic inquiry.
In terms of specific assessment techniques, I have utilized structured interview guides and standardized assessment tools provided by Jasmine's practice to ensure a comprehensive understanding of clients’ needs. For instance, employing genograms and eco-maps has helped visualize family dynamics and social networks, aligning with the social work emphasis on ecological systems theory. Additionally, I’ve adopted a strengths-based perspective, focusing on clients’ resources and resilience during assessment, which fosters a collaborative and empowering atmosphere.
Looking ahead, I plan to enhance my assessment approach by incorporating more evidence-based practices found in current literature. This will involve staying updated on validated instruments tailored for diverse populations and integrating culturally sensitive tools, recognizing that cultural competence is essential for accurate assessment. Furthermore, I aim to continually apply critical reflection, as suggested by Savaya and Gardner, by maintaining a reflective journal and engaging in regular supervision to identify and rectify potential biases or gaps in my assessment practices.
My internship experience thus far affirms that effective assessment is a dynamic process requiring ongoing learning, self-awareness, and adaptation. By synthesizing academic literature with practical application, I am progressively developing a nuanced, client-centered approach that will serve as a foundation for competent social work practice. This ongoing process of integrating theory and practice is essential for delivering ethically sound, effective interventions that meet the unique needs of each client.
References
Birkenmaier, J., & Berg-Weger, M. (2018). The practicum companion for social work: Integrating class and fieldwork (4th ed.). Pearson.
Savaya, R., & Gardner, F. (2012). Critical reflection to identify gaps between espoused theory and theory-in-use. Social Work, 57(2), 145–154.