Ok, so I lied about writing this blog by the end of last week, will you forgive me?

I'll take that as a "yes." So let's move on. :)

I could really write the most interesting, crazy book based on all the true stories that I hear or witness at my field placement. The real life stories of the kids who come to this school are crazier, sadder, and more complicated than many books I have read. There's true tales of a parole officer who thought stealing a golf cart was normal teenage stuff. A self-proclaimed amazing cook made hamburgers consisting of ground beef, duck sauce, italian seasoning, cheddar cheese, ketchup, spicy mustard, and lots of Pam spray. But then there's also the heart-wrenching, hushed up pasts of other students, whose stories I don't feel right lightly mentioning here. Soap operas are weak sauce compared to the lives of these boys. I would give you more examples, but you might write the book before me and rob me of all the fame and fortune.

My field placement is at New Foundations School. It's a junior and senior high school for boys who have been kicked out of other schools mainly due to emotional issues and anger control. Here, students are regularly put in restraining holds, curse everything, and are put in a carpeted room if they cannot calm down. (When I first started there, my husband and father were extremely nervous about me being there.) But, if you can grab their attention, they show how brilliant they are. You can start to see their potential and how they could do great things, if just given the right help and if the person has some personal motivation.

Of course motivation and personal drive can be hard to come by. I'm thinking specifically about the student I do individual therapy with at my field placement. This morning I turned in this giant assessment on this student. In this assessment, I was required to gather as much information about my client (his past, who's in his family, what his strengths and problems are, and on and on) and then figure out what we need to work on and how we are going to do it. The example in the book made it seem simple: Ask the person a question, get an answer. The client knows what problem they're in there for, and so you work to solve it.

The example in the book does not take into account that my client is only motivated by food and video games. He doesn't think he needs to change because he doesn't believe anything is his fault. Nor does the book take into account the fact that my client is a constant liar. He spins so many tales about his life that he cannot keep them straight. For example:
Client: "So my girlfriend Robin will be moving here in December."
Me: "Where will Robin be living?"
"Who?"
"Robin."
"Who?"
"Robin!"
"Who?"
"Your girlfriend?"
"Oh right, yeah, um, I'm gettin' her a hotel."

He also says that he is experienced in carpentry, greatly sought after by all women, and is being recruited by a professional football team, even though the only football practice he is getting right now is through the game Madden NFL.

Being very new to this whole therapy thing, I have no idea how to apply the skills learned in class to our therapy time because the book writes as if people tell the truth and want to talk about and deal with their problems. And we're not supposed to just tell the client what's up, but help them figure it out on their own. If I explored what my client was talking about, it would be useless because we'd be talking about his pretend life, not his real one. I am getting the feeling that many people receiving therapy are like my client. But, for some reason my supervisor thinks I'm doing a great job thus far, and she and my client's mentor agree that I can be more blunt and follow my gut more than what the book says with the kids at this school. I think they're right. Real life is a lot more complicated, and stranger, than what the book says.

Thanks for staying with me and reading this lengthy account. Till next time,
Sharon

Posted by Sharon at 1:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I promise that I will write a blog later this week about my field placement. There are so many crazy stories from that school and so many frustrations from trying to figure out how to be a good therapist, I need some time to sort it all out in my head.

But for now, I would like to make an additional note on my last blog: If you want to get involved in the school's clubs, which you and I should do, do NOT plan anything for Mondays after 5pm. Most of the clubs meet after 5pm on Monday because the second year students are only at the school on Mondays and Fridays. They are at their field placement the other three days. I did not realize this and had scheduled a yoga class for Monday night. Don't make this mistake!

I also said that I would update you on my midterm for my social policy class. I stressed over it a lot, and received 100% on the three essays! Hooray! But tomorrow is another midterm, this time for my research class. Best get to studying!

See you all later this week,
Sharon

Posted by Sharon at 8:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ahhh, a little social work humor. The joke will make sense when see what this blog is about.

It was pointed out to me through a comment on my last blog that none of us bloggers have talked about the social life here at the UMB's School of Social Work. Oops. So for those of you who were wondering about what would happen if you moved here for school and will know no one, thank Stacey for bringing it up:

I didn't know anyone when I started my semester, and I would guess that most people don't know anyone either.

The classes aren't too big to meet people. They're about 12-25? people each. Actually, since full time foundation students take the same credits, I see the same people in most of my classes. By chance I have sat next to the same girls in 3 of my classes, so we chat it up. People have been very friendly. I mean, we're all going to be social workers and thus are probably people persons. And, since we are all going for the same higher degree, we all have much in common so you should find it easy to connect with someone. There are only about 4 guys in each class and the rest are girls. But that's the way the field is, unfortunately.

My Social Work Practice class (the class that accompanies the field placement) has been the best way to meet people. Dr. Cascio is my professor in that one, and she really creates a space that has encouraged us to meet each other and get to talk about our field placements, which we are all eager to talk about. I have not made many friends through the school to be honest, but that is because I rush home once classes are done to see my husband. I also do know some people who live within an hour of the school, so I'm not completely starting anew on the finding of friends. BUT, Kim, another blogger, just moved here and she hangs out with a lot of people already since she's living right by the school (I believe) and can participate in different school activities, like the dance class she mentioned in her blog. Also, there are clubs just for the social work students. I'm pretty sure the girls I sit next to in class have already gotten very involved with those. And once you make friends, there are free museums nearby and in DC (which isn't far away if you avoid rush hour), many places to eat, shows (which you can get discounts for as a student), shopping, Inner Harbor has lots of stuff, etc.

I hope that answers your question. If you want to know more, I suggest asking Kim and seeing her blog since she's doing exactly what you're contemplating.
Don't go it alone!
Bon chance, mes amis!
-Sharon

Posted by Sharon at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)