6 months as a social worker
I know many of you, my readers, have been concerned for me over my emo posts. Thanks for your concern.
I think maybe I should clarify some things here. Sometimes, those emo posts are when I'm really down. I blog when I'm down and feel like I need someone to listen to me. Writing here gives me the feeling that somebody out there is trying to understand what I'm going through. As a social worker, I often wonder, I'm in that counseling room to see people as they cry. But who is there to see me cry? Really, no one. No one sees the tears, or tries to comprehend the fact that I have struggles too.
Anyway, back to the topic.
By the time I return from Cambodia, I would have crossed the 6 months' line as a social worker. I must say, I've really learnt a lot in these 6 months. Handling crises, handling situations that I didn't think I would need to be involved in. As CY said, after my stint here, I think I'd be a much better crisis manager. Let me just pen down some thoughts as I reflect about these 6 months. :)
1) There are lots of people out there with a passion for people and social justice, not just people who so-called major in social work at Uni. What I've realised is that, a Social Work education is very much about imparting the values, skills and personhood. With the right values, honestly many things fall in place. More precisely, empathy comes easy when we truly treat the people we come into contact with with the dignity they deserve.
2) One of the lessons my supervisor taught me was to see each person as a human being. A human being who is the way he/ she is because of certain reasons. Their past, experiences, coping skills and defense mechanisms. It helps A LOT. Especially when I see cases which are tough and abusive. Seeing them as human beings with needs just like anyone else (and mentally holding back the temptation to label them as 'trouble-maker') naturally turns on my empathy mode, and I find that I can whittle down their shell after a while. It's really beautiful to see someone come in strong-headed, demanding and abusive, but become vulnerable and in touch with their human-ness after a few sessions.
3) Things are complicated. Things are complicated. Things are complicated. Don't need to try to simplify them, but don't make them worse either. Like a doctor, first do no harm.
It's really been a good journey so far. The exposure I'm getting is far greater than I expected, the learning curve far steeper than I thought. But it's challenging me, to see life more deeply, to know people more transparently, to think more theoretically and sharply.
But for now, it's Cambodia!! :)
I think maybe I should clarify some things here. Sometimes, those emo posts are when I'm really down. I blog when I'm down and feel like I need someone to listen to me. Writing here gives me the feeling that somebody out there is trying to understand what I'm going through. As a social worker, I often wonder, I'm in that counseling room to see people as they cry. But who is there to see me cry? Really, no one. No one sees the tears, or tries to comprehend the fact that I have struggles too.
Anyway, back to the topic.
By the time I return from Cambodia, I would have crossed the 6 months' line as a social worker. I must say, I've really learnt a lot in these 6 months. Handling crises, handling situations that I didn't think I would need to be involved in. As CY said, after my stint here, I think I'd be a much better crisis manager. Let me just pen down some thoughts as I reflect about these 6 months. :)
1) There are lots of people out there with a passion for people and social justice, not just people who so-called major in social work at Uni. What I've realised is that, a Social Work education is very much about imparting the values, skills and personhood. With the right values, honestly many things fall in place. More precisely, empathy comes easy when we truly treat the people we come into contact with with the dignity they deserve.
2) One of the lessons my supervisor taught me was to see each person as a human being. A human being who is the way he/ she is because of certain reasons. Their past, experiences, coping skills and defense mechanisms. It helps A LOT. Especially when I see cases which are tough and abusive. Seeing them as human beings with needs just like anyone else (and mentally holding back the temptation to label them as 'trouble-maker') naturally turns on my empathy mode, and I find that I can whittle down their shell after a while. It's really beautiful to see someone come in strong-headed, demanding and abusive, but become vulnerable and in touch with their human-ness after a few sessions.
3) Things are complicated. Things are complicated. Things are complicated. Don't need to try to simplify them, but don't make them worse either. Like a doctor, first do no harm.
It's really been a good journey so far. The exposure I'm getting is far greater than I expected, the learning curve far steeper than I thought. But it's challenging me, to see life more deeply, to know people more transparently, to think more theoretically and sharply.
But for now, it's Cambodia!! :)
good to read this post, ren! =)
dee
hey bro, i've passed the journal articles to one of the receptionists... she said she'd put in on your table. so yeah. hope it helps! -fxk