Social Work Simulation Analysis

Summary The simulation was a productive manner to get hands on experience in what it is like to be a social worker on the field. In the scenario, my client Derek a high school student whose grades had been slipping was referred to me to have a session to understand what was going on. During my simulation, I was the third person in my group to go so I already had a general understanding of what problems Derek was facing. For instance, he was being bullied both online and in classes, he had recently come out as a gay individual and was facing some troubling times with his father and mother, and was having trouble accepting certain friends leaving him. During the beginning of my simulation I went straight in to asking questions such as “what …show more content…
Even though Derek answered my questions he looked uncomfortable and was giving one worded or one sentence answers. To create a better relationship, I attempted to self disclose about my father and I’s past fights because Derek had seemed to be going through a tough time with his dad however it seemed to have little effect on his comfort level and interest. So, a little way through my session I decided to take a lighter route and brought up school activities where groups of individuals go skiing and how there was opportunities from him to join. My intention in doing so was to give him a positive place and club to have in the school environment, so not all of it felt so negative especially considering he enjoyed skiing.
Self Disclosure
Occasionally social workers participate in disclosure; which is the act of sharing personal, relevant, and beneficial, information to create stronger relationships with the clients (Lundy, 2004). This is seen through the process of story telling of self and others lived experiences (Lundy, 2004). However, in my practice of self disclose first there needs to be a process of tuning in. Tuning in, is when a social worker reflects on experiences, skills, …show more content…
A social workers position resides from a legal, professional, authoritative, influential and power driven concepts (Lundy, 2007). Whereas a client is an individual coming from a place of need and help (Lundy, 2007). The client is in a position of vulnerability, scrutiny, and uncomfortableness due to having to disclose personal information. As a social worker, it is our job to create an environment in which the power is balanced and both you and the client are on the same playing field (Lundy, 2007). However, I feel that during the simulation Derek as the client was not provided with much if any power. I feel that there is importance in asking the individual there first and last name, what they would prefer to be called, what their pronoun preferences are and other basic needs that can open an environment up (Lundy, 2007). However, during the simulation not once did I refer to Derek using his name, I didn’t know what he liked being referred to as or if I was being offensive towards him without realizing. Something as small as not referring to an individual using their name can be de-humanifying and oppressive towards the individual, stripping them of their identity and power (Lundy, 2007). Especially considering Derek’s situation and his path in discovering his sexuality. In terms of him identifying as a gay individual there may be certain pronouns and words that