Managing ChallengingIntern Issues

Dr. Donald E. Baumeister, LCSW, JD, MPA, CEAPCertified School Social Work Specialist

How is Presentation Organized?

Introduction

Taking a Clinical Perspective

What Do We Know about Failure in Field?

Types of Issues SWIs Present in Field

Social Work Interns: Effect & Responses

Summary plus Questions and Answers

Introduction

Thank you so much for this invitation to speak to such an important and vital group of SW educatorsCaveat: Twofold “Cup Perspective”

This is the World According to Don and I do not represent the views of any UniversityThese remarks come from 30 years of experiences working with more than 500 SWIs

Our Job: Teach interns how to “Fix Broken Cups” and “Help Them Ignite Fires”Think about our Roles as Professional Mentors

Taking a Clinical Perspective

Adequate AssessmentProfessional RelationshipClinical InterventionsTiming, Timing, Timing

What Do We Know about Fieldwork?

First Principle: If a student fails in his or her MSW program, it will likely be in the area Fieldwork not AcademicsCorollary: The universities screen prospective students for Academics, not Field

Three Types of Issues SWIs Present:

The Baker’s Dozen Examples - Cognitive

Three Categories Identified: Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral

Cognitive

Inability to conceptualize cases

Cognitive deficits like those found in Alzheimer’s Disease

Serious Communication Difficulties

Special Education Students (e.g., learning or emotional disorders)

Hypochondrias

The Baker’s Dozen Examples – Affective

AffectiveTrauma-Based Issues (e.g., recent death of family member/friend, PTSD diagnosis)Alexithymia (def: an inability to identify or express feelings often attributable to males)Fear of Conflict and Decline Efforts to Address or Manage itHealthy and Unhealthy Defenses

The Baker’s Dozen Examples – Behavioral

* BehavioralSpecial Education Students (e.g., physical limitations such as blindness or wheelchair mobility with colostomy)Religious Proselytizing (e.g., student is compelled to try and convert clients)Overindulged Students (“You want me to do how many process recordings a week plus all my other responsibilities?”)Cultural Issues (i.e., personal space, cleanliness, food, music, and smells)

SWIs: Effects & Responses

Decide on a few measureable and reachable goals for the year (e.g., especially the development of a basic, internal clinical template you can take anywhere) Challenged SWIs need our best work and creativityMake a commitment to learning in the service of your clientsIf your only tool is a hammer, then every problem is a nailDo our best anyway at all three levels of practice: Micro, Mezzo, and MacroTemper the power you have with the humility our students deserve because we are never better than those we serve

Closing RemarksSummaryQuestions and AnswersRemember: Three Ways to Help Students ChangeWe Help Our Students: Heal, Problem Solve, and Grow