Journal 5-enmu

Field Experience:

The social worker (SW) interacted with a client, C, who needed interventions and support to get holistic care. The experience was adventurous and informative because new knowledge was acquired, and some events were new for the SW. The client who was offered support has severe intellectual disability and schizophrenia. At first, the SW did not expect to see the resilience of the client amidst his disabilities. Even so, during the interaction process, the SW learned that the client was resilient and that his parents were hopeful. In this case, the SW acted as a facilitator, mentor, and trainer.

Significant Information:

Some of the significant information about this client revolves around her physical health, mental health, environment, and possible needs that can help her live independently. Therefore, according to the case, C is single even though he is an adult and an adult speaker. His illnesses include schizophrenia and intellectual disability. These conditions have made the client seek psychiatric care and medication. Concerning the environment, the client is under the care of his parents, even though he is an adult. With his condition, he requires help to undertake daily activities. He also needs supervision during meals and when undertaking personal hygiene. The reason for referral is that the caregivers are overwhelmed by the needs arising from the client’s condition, and the client also needs support from many other medical experts.

Relevant Factors:

The assessment shows that several factors influence the client’s condition. The intellectual disability combined with schizophrenia significantly impairs his ability to perform daily activities. Additionally, his condition has impaired his memory, judgment, and orientation (Corey et al., 2018). Also, the conditions have affected his development, for instance, speech delay and inability to undertake personal care. The family is an important support system for this individual since they help the client handle all his duties. The lifecycle stage in this case is young adulthood with lots of support needs, leading to prolonged dependency on his family (Corey et al., 2018). In this client’s case, the community program involvement is early planning since his parents still seek the best fit for him.

Economic factors are relevant for this client since it is likely that this client relies heavily on financial support from the government. Cultural and social factors of concern are discrimination and stigma in society (van Wormer & Link, 2018). Many people in society still discriminate against people with disabilities, and the stigma associated with this condition is excellent because others consider him as a lesser human. One strength that stands out is that the client can use reminders and simple instructions to perform simple tasks alone. The most outstanding weakness is the client’s heavy reliance on his parents as caregivers.

Integration of Theory & Practice:

C and his case can be best examined through ecological systems and person-in-environment theories that can help explain his situation concerning the environment, family, and available support system. Cognitive behavior theory (CBT) is an approach that can be used to address symptoms of schizophrenia in this client, and strength case management theory can be used to empower the client by emphasizing his capabilities (van Wormer & Link, 2018). Crisis intervention techniques can be employed in this case to address the client’s immediate needs, such as connecting them with the necessary services.

The Problem-Solving Process

Engagement is the first problem-solving process involved in this crucial experience. This process was manifested in the initial contact between the social worker and the client.

The second problem-solving process was information gathering. Another step is information gathering, which includes assessing the client’s mental state, limitations, and environment. Intervention comes next when the client is given a plan for their support. Lastly, the plan is evaluated.

Applicable Paradigm(s)

A medical paradigm can be used to examine the client’s behavior through a medical lens. For instance, one can explore the client’s schizophrenia and his mental challenges and then discuss the connection with his general health (Corey et al., 2018). Viewing this individual through this lens shows that direct intervention is needed.

The social system paradigm can also be used; in this case, C’s environment is of interest. This paradigm also examines the client’s inter-relationship with those close to him (Corey et al., 2018). As such, assessing through this lens shows the importance of family in his recovery journey.

Social Work Values Involved:

An individual’s dignity and worth are values upheld in the NASW Code of Ethics. It requires that a SW should respect the autonomy of an individual. The SW must involve the client in decision-making and respect the client’s wishes (National Association of Social Workers, n.d.). The social worker respects C’s dignity and individuality by understanding his cognitive and intellectual abilities, encouraging his participation in household tasks, and recognizing his need for structured assistance.

Another value is the importance of human relationships, and this helps the SW understand the role of parents and the support they give to the client. NASW Code of Ethics requires that the SW value interpersonal relationships and thus respect the parent’s role in the child’s health (National Association of Social Workers, n.d.).

Another value is service and competence. The NASW Code of Ethics demands that the SW show competence, such as providing comprehensive care to the client and addressing this patient’s social needs through appropriate referrals and recommendations (National Association of Social Workers, n.d.).

Personal Reactions:

SW felt empathy and, at the same time, commitment to address C’s needs. The SW was also surprised to see the client’s resilience and that he can try to do some things with proper reminders and guidance. The SW was, however, concerned over the gaps that needed to be sorted through support, like when connecting the client with other professionals to get holistic treatment.

Outcome:

The intervention was effective because C’s needs were addressed to ensure the client was safe and on his way to independence. The SW learned the importance of the family system through this experience. The SW would prioritize using community resources to bridge gaps as the first approach to such situations. This experience enhanced the SW’s skills in advocacy, communication, and assessment.

References

Corey, M.S., Corey, G. & Corey, C. (2018). Groups: Process and practice. Thomson/Brooks/Cole.

National Association of Social Workers (n.d.). NASW Code of Ethics. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

van Wormer, K., & Link, R. J. (2018). Social work and social welfare: A human rights foundation. Oxford University Press.

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Select a field experience and use this outline for your journal report. Be concise and protect the confidentiality and privacy of clients, groups, providers, supervisors, field instructors and staff. Submit a copy of your journal report to your Field Liaison through Blackboard.   Final version should be filed in the field portfolio. This is a professional report, you are to use third person in all areas except your personal reactions section.  You will be graded on grammar and professionalism.

Field experience:   Select a key experience with a client, client group, community, agency, supervisor, other field students, or staff.  Describe what happened and your role(s) in the situation e.g. (mediator, planner, enabler, observer, counselor, manager, broker/advocate, facilitator, catalyst, activist, teacher, trainer, mentor, outreach worker, monitor, or researcher).

Significant information:  Provide some brief background information such as, client data, presenting problem, or referral information.

Relevant Factors: Include assessment information gathered that helped you understand the situation or plan your intervention.  What individual, family, community, social, cultural, spiritual, medical, physical, developmental, psychological, and/or mental health factors influenced the situation. Explain the life cycle stage, group development stage, community program development stage, or research process step that applies.

Describe any of the following factors that are relevant: economic, political, environmental, discrimination, or oppression.  What strengths and needs were identified?  What additional information is needed?

Integration of Theory & Practice:  What have you learned in your courses that helped you understand the situation or plan your intervention?  What theory, practice model, approach, strategy, method, technique, intervention, or research method was used? Consult textbooks, course materials, journal articles, and/or instructors and provide citation of materials referenced.

What stage(s) of the problem solving process were involved in this key experience? (engagement, gathering information, assessment/diagnostics, intervention and review, evaluation, termination, aftercare/referral). Explain.

Journal 5-enmu

Choose the paradigm(s) that helps you understand human behavior in this key experience:

___Medical     ___Social Systems      ___Psychoanalytic     ___Humanistic      ___Behavioristic

Explain your choices by discussing how behavior in this key experiences is viewed or understood.

Social work values involved:  Describe core social work values, ethical principles, or ethical standards that were applied in this situation.  Indicate from the NASW Code of Ethics which value or ethic you chose and how it applies to the situation.

Personal reactions:  Write about your reactions.  How comfortable were you with your actions; what was surprising; what emotions did you experience; or how did you deal with your reactions?

Outcome:  How effective was the intervention? How will you use what you learned? What will you do differently in the future? What will your next actions be? What practice behaviors from your Learning Contract did this key experience help you develop?