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What are your general reactions to Stephanie’s personal narrative?
Stephanie’s courage and strength to speak up and speak out is something I respect ad appreciate of her. She not only had the courage to stand up for herself, she continued to advocate for services and supports so that other students would have better supports in place when needed.
• What are your thoughts on the difference between the medical model, pathology-based approach and a person-driven, recovery-oriented approach to helping as embodied by a peer recovery support approach that Stephanie describes in her story? I prefer the person -driven approach and recovery oriented approach because it focuses more on building strengths and resilience in the individual and emphasizes on knowledge, skills and abilities to overcome substance use or mental disorders. It allows the individual to take their own journey, at their own pace and is more centered around their own needs at that time. By including peer recovery supports it allows an individual to develop and enhance their own natural supports.
• What are some strategies you have or would use to link consumers to peer recovery support services in your community and develop collaborative relationships with peer specialists? Some strategies I use to assist clients in this area is by already having some connections in place that I am familiar with. Often times we make calls together and by having a personal connection it tends to allow the client to feel more at ease and comfortable accepting the support. Also networking with other community resources, co workers and gather more information and experiences is helpful.
• Take a moment to reflect on the course material over the past four weeks and the new insights you have gained about wellness and recovery promotion. How do you envision bringing these new insights into your work with consumers? This course has been very helpful and insightful. It is always important to remember when working with clients, this is their journey. Assisting clients to help them identify their own strengths, abilities, skills and take ownership in their own recovery is essential.
1) What are your general reactions to this exercise of identifying wellness goals and taking action to achieve them?I liked this exercise and found this is a useful tool to offer to clients I work with. I liked that this is person driven and not labeled a treatment plan. By completing this activity, for me, it felt more valid and I felt more committed by writing it down in my own words.
2) What did you discover about how your strengths, supporters, and or community resources might help you overcome barriers to taking an action step or reaching your goal? Recognizing the supports I already have in place was reassuring for me. I found strength with in myself knowing I had resources already in place. Although I may have picked some challenging goals for myself, there is a sense of relief to look at the paper and recognize that some of those barriers are not so intimidating because of the supports I already have.
3) What are some strategies you would employ to help consumers develop and implement their own wellness/recovery plans? Writing it out is very helpful because you can carry this were ever you go. When a difficulty comes up or a challenge, referring to the chart quickly to focus on the strengths already in place is helpful. Building on the strengths already identified will increase the clients own self- reliance and confidence
1. What are your general reactions to this exercise of identifying strengths and reflecting on how a strength can help you achieve a recovery or wellness goal?
By taking the time to think about and jot down my strengths in wellness, I realized the growth that has occurred over the last few years. Wellness means a great deal to me, and living a full, energized life is something I take seriously. My awareness of change and change moving in the direction that is valuable to me, is a motivator. Sometimes, I don’t stop to think about the tiny little changes, and yet when you compile it all together its kind of amazing!!2. What did you discover about your own strengths that might have been previously hidden from view? Again, by identifying some of the small behavioral changes, I realized the value of those little tiny steps. It can be so overwhelming to think about giant changes or looking at the end results. But little baby steps that lead to bigger steps that eventually lead to much bigger changes, is amazing to discover. I have the strength to make little changes, it feels hopeful and manageable.
3. How would you or have you used a strengths assessment to help consumers identify their strengths and uncover their hopes and dreams? Yes, I like the example of asking the client, “what has worked for you the past”? This statement allows the client to think about ways they have managed and builds on strengths they already have.
1. What are your general reactions to the mindful writing? What were some of the personal resources, skills, and abilities you relied on to help you through a difficult experience in your life?
About two months ago, I started my own wellness journey. Every morning I start my day with my devotions. Then I began to write down in my journal whatever pops up in my mind. What I discovered about this skill is my own awareness of where my mind is in the moment. I enjoy going back and reading my daily thoughts. It brings to light my worries, anxieties but also my resilience and hope. I find by writing some of these thoughts, I am able to stop the toxic thinking and reverse it to something positive. I realized through this process, my mind tends to get filled up with doubts fears and anxieties that only way me down. By reversing these useless negative thoughts, I am able to find hope through my faith which in turns sets mu day on a much better path of peace joy and love.
2. What are some of the ways the questions and or the mindful writing helped you uncover your narrative of resilience? Mindful writing has helped me to stay focused in the moment. My nature is to say ” what if” and then role with the anxieties about what could happen ( and 99 % of the time, it doesn’t). Keeping myself focused in the moment is a much better place to be and I find my morning journaling helps to keep me in a mindful state.
3. How might you apply the Narrative questions and or mindful writing in your work with others to help them uncover a neglected story of resilience in their lives? Often times with my clients we brainstorm together on various ways to manage difficult and challenging situations. With my own experience with this type of skill, I am comfortable offering this as a suggestion, explaining how this has been helpful in my own journey to wellness.
Hello, my name is Katie Varney, LSW and I am a social worker at MGMC, working in a primary care setting. I have been a social worker for 24 years. I am excited to learn more about Wellness and Recovery and how to better assist my clients. looking forward to this class.
Questions 1
The first strategy I would concentrate on to start is client engagement. I would want Jacinta to feel comfortable and safe. I would use MI to help understand where she is at in terms of her own treatment. I would want to build trust and collaboration.Question 2
Because this term is new to me, I would ask Jacinta to educate me on this term and what it means to her. I would do some of my own research, reach out for clinical supervision and explore with Jacinta if she would be ok with reaching out to her family. By asking questions in a nonjudgmental way, and inquiring interest shows respect and builds trust.Question 3
I would first explain the benefits and risks of each option and explore with her what she feels most comfortable doing. I am familiar with Seeking Safety program and it does sound like a good fit for Jacinta.Question 4
This course has been extremely helpful in understanding the impact of trauma on clients I work with. My awareness to place the focus on the client (as a whole being) rather than placing the focus on the problem or symptoms is a big take away and nice reminder moving forward.Question 1
My reaction to Christina’s story is I am amazed by her strength and insightfulness. This is an individual who was traumatized at the age of 6, then retraumatized by the system and her parents did not believe her. So the distrust this person had experienced for so many years is heartbreaking. However, her resiliency and determination throughout this story is incredibly inspiring. She took it upon herself to seek out alternatives for treatments and continue to move forward. If I was her counselor, I would listen to her story and build on her strengths. I would want to develop a trusting relationship at her pace.Question 2
I am not a clinician so I have not used these screening tools. I did take a look at them and I am familiar with the ACEs tool. I am not aware if we use this in primary care but I plan to ask around and speak about this at our next meeting. I know that providers are familiar with the screenings, I am just not sure how readily they are used.
Since I work in primary care, I took a look at the PC-PTSD-5 screening tool. I can see where this can be useful. We have a population of patients who are refugees and are aware that many have past trauma. I think this tool would be beneficial in identifying trauma. We have the resources in place to assist patients who may need counseling and follow up.Question 3
I am not a clinician, but if I were, I would first want Selena to feel safe so I would establish safety. I would start by encouraging structure and routine. Next, I would work with the client on developing a safety plan. A person who feels in control and prepared is empowering which can lead to that overall secure feeling.
Normalizing symptoms with the client is also a strategy that is important. It can be reassuring for the client who went through a traumatic event to understand these symptoms as a reaction vs an untreatable MI.
Focusing on building resilience would be the third strategy I would use. Assisting a client in identifying their own strengths can benefit the client and build on resiliency.Question 1
After reviewing these guidelines for implementing TIC in an organization, I feel the organization that I work for may be lagging behind. For example, I chose this course because I want to learn more about TIC , the impact this has and to provide the best support for my clients . This was not recommended or required by my organization. There is nothing in my job description that says I need this training. I chose to pay for this training out of my own pocket because its important to me to understand the people I work with daily. My plan is to discuss this with my team and with these guidelines start implementing some organizational changes.Question 2
In reviewing the competency checklist, I feel most comfortable with the patient centered planning. I believe in meeting clients where they are at. I believe in order to encourage change, the client needs to be fully engaged and the social worker is there to support and provide the resources necessary.
Some of the competencies that I would like to know more about is the self care practices ( to avoid burn out) and culturally competent care.Question 3
My reaction to Larry’s confrontation to the client in the group is that he came across shaming as a way to get her to do what he wanted. This is not the approach to motivate change. Shaming is never acceptable. Larry had little insight and came across closed minded to other approaches. It appears that the clinical supervisor working with Larry is aware that his approach does not line up with TIC approach. This supervisor works with Larry on additional training and coaching in a non- confrontational approach which Larry appears to be open too.Question 1
My initial response to Anna’s experience with the MH system is sadness and frustration. It’s heartbreaking to think that she was never offered or allowed to tell her story in her own words. Part of the healing process is being empowered to use your voice and express your thoughts out loud. The statements “Symptoms are adaptions to distress” and “Truth lies in a person’s story, not in their symptoms?” reminds me to place the focus on the client (as a whole being) rather than placing the focus on the problem or symptoms.
Question 2
I agree with Harris and Fallot’s paradigm shift from traditional approach to a trauma –informed approach. It is important to me to understand the whole person vs just focusing on a problem. When we listen to a client and their story, we begin to understanding the whole person. This approach helps to build a trusting relationship, reinforces respect, and it’s a way to support a client by working together.
I work in a primary care setting. I recently met with a 37 yo female who presented to staff as angry and defensive. She has a long history of trauma from her child hood and adulthood. I was able to take the time to listen to her story and hear her concerns. We worked together to break down some of the issues and we coordinated with her primary care provider. As I sat and listened to this pt, I got a sense that it was less about being angry and defensive and more that she was guarded and protecting herself.Question 3
The organization I work for includes behavioral health treatment within the practice. Our behavioral health team provides trauma informed care. We offer a safe and quiet environment. For example, recently I worked with a patient who struggles with anxiety in large crowds. The team offered to accommodate this pt by rooming the pt as soon as she arrived. This decreased her level of anxiety, and empowered her to continue to come to her follow up appts. We collaborate and partner with are patients and recognize the value in sharing of power and decision-making. Empowering our pts to engage in their own healthcare is a principle that most providers agree with. The more involved a patient is in decision making around their healthcare, the better outcomes with their health overall.
A barrier that I see from day to day, is this practice is a big practice, involving multiple disciplines. We have a high turnover rate with staff and continual education around TIC is so important
Hello, My name is Katie Varney, LSW at MGMC- Family Medicine Institute. I have worked in the primary care setting for 24 years. I provide social services to all our pts of this practice ranging from newborns to geriatrics. I am looking to increase my knowledge and skills around trauma informed care. I am looking forward to this class.
