Strengths-Based Practice_Eportfolio

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1 Field Experience: Strengths-Based Practice Brianna Gibson SWK-535: Field Instruction I College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University Dr. Carin Blevins December 6, 2023

2 Field Experience: Strengths-Based Practice Frameworks and points of view from social work and psychology are used in strengths- based approaches, but they haven't always been clearly defined or well-articulated across fields. Strengths-based approaches were created by social work educators in the US during the civil and human rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s (Fenton et al., 2015). They did this in reaction to what they saw as an increase in the culture of clinical diagnosis that took away people's power. According to Fenton et al. (2015), a strengths viewpoint means that professionals help people see and value their own strengths and natural resources. After that, people and groups could use these skills to make changes. During our conversation, my field supervisor (FS) and I talked about how she and the other providers use a strength-based approach. As for using a strength-based method, FS said that the site doesn't have any training for that. As the FS pointed out, this method is already used by the social workers, attending psychiatrists, and nurses (personal communication, 2023), which is a good point. We are the team for inpatients. My FS says that we should always highlight the good things about the people we see when we evaluate them. The psychiatrist always tells the patients to use the tools they already have, like family and friends (personal communication, 2023). My FS also said that it is important to recognize the bravery and hard work of patients who seek help and show up for appointments. It is very important to talk about people's strengths, interests, beliefs, and goals. The strength-based method emphasizes how important people's traits are, along with the kind of surroundings they live in and the numerous variables that affect their lives (Caiels, Milne, & Beadle-Brown, 2021). The idea behind it is that interventions should be based on what clients can do and what tools they have access to. People who work with clients are seen as "experts" in

3 their own situations, and workers are seen as partners whose academic and technical knowledge must be used to help clients, especially by giving clients power instead of labels (Caiels et al., 2021). I agree with Caiels and colleagues because when I am in field placement, we make sure to listen to and understand our patients and not judge the choices they make in life. I also had to watch my FS correcting staff for the way they talked to the patient and the tone of their voice. This is important because these people are already not doing well, and they will take what you say very seriously and may react to it in a negative spotlight. This method uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused therapy along with strengths-based coaching. It is based on positive psychology and self-determination theory (SDT). All of these theories and therapy methods are based on the idea that each person has the power to make their own decisions. Motivational interviewing is what we use a lot in field placement. In field placement, social workers hope to encourage individuals to become more self-confident and feel good about themselves by recognizing their skills. Learning to think positively and focus on solutions instead of problems can help the patients find more solutions, improve their mental health right away, and make their mental health resources stronger. When the patients of clients feel good about their health behavior, they can enjoy and value the process as well as the result. It increases the person's resources and makes their inner motivations stronger. SDT says that people are driven to grow and change when their basic psychological needs for liberty, competence, and relatedness are met (Roponen et al., 2021). Contemporary community organizers and practitioners actively include residents in order to promote the development of skills and confidence at the individual, organizational, and community levels (Ohmer et al., 2022). By actively participating, residents can acquire practical skills in coordinating, discovering available resources, and formulating effective plans to

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4 enhance the community's welfare and accomplish their objectives. By actively participating in community engagement, individuals have the ability to exert influence on external social systems and collaborate with neighbors and community organizations in order to enhance the quality of their neighborhoods (Ohmer, et al., 2022). Committed individuals experience a sense of duty towards the communities they are a part of, as well as towards the overall welfare of society (Larkin, 2018). Although early organizing efforts and contemporary community involvement initiatives provide valuable insights, social work has faced historical and ongoing criticism for its excessive emphasis on individual problems, limited solutions, community inadequacies, as well as its association with racism and oppression (Ohmer, et al., 2022). An important lesson I gained is the significance of meeting the client/patient at their current level or situation. Exploring self-determination is crucial for the individuals we assist, as it enables them to have a deeper comprehension of their life's quality and overall well-being. When I am in the field, I prioritize the autonomy of the patients I serve, refrain from making judgments, and actively listen to their perspectives. Social workers must set aside their own biases in order to facilitate the client's transformation of their personal story. Social Work Disposition #6: Value: Competence; Ethical Principle: Social workers operate within their domains of proficiency and grow and expand their professional aptitude. As a result, social workers consistently endeavor to enhance their professional expertise and abilities, and effectively implement them in their work. Social workers should strive to enhance the knowledge of their profession.

5 References Caiels, J., Milne, A., & Beadle-Brown, J. (2021). Strengths-Based Approaches in Social Work and Social Care: Reviewing the Evidence. Journal of Long Term Care , 0 (2021), 401– 422.DOI: https://doi.org/10.31389/jltc.102 Fenton, A., Walsh, K., Wong, S., & Cumming, T. (2015). Using strengths-based approaches in early years practice and research. International Journal of Early Childhood , 47 (1), 27– 52. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s13158-014-0115-8 Larkin, S. (2018). Field guide for social workers . SAGE Publications. Ohmer, M.L., Mendenhall, A. N., Mohr-Carney, M., & Adams, D. (2022). Community engagement: evolution, challenges and opportunities for change, Journal of Community Practice, 30:4, 351-358, DOI: 10.1080/10705422.2022.2144061 Roponen, J., Ruusunen, A., Absetz, P., Partonen, T., Kuvaja-Köllner, V., Hujo, M., & Nuutinen. O., (2021). Nutrition-focused group intervention with a strength-based counseling approach for people with clinical depression: a study protocol for the Food for Mind randomized controlled trial. Trials , 22 (1), 1–16. https://doi- org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05279-5

Strengths-Based Practice_Eportfolio

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