Master of Social Work Research Practicum Reports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10294/2906

The Master of Social Work program provides an option of completing the requirements with a thesis, or a practicum. The practicum option contains two streams: the field practicum and the research practicum. The full details for the program are provided here: Graduate Studies and Research -- Master of Social Work program.

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Browsing Master of Social Work Research Practicum Reports by Author "Fletcher, Kara"

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    Becoming trauma informed: a research practicum exploring haven family support staff experiences of trauma informed care
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2021-09) Gagne, Erin; Chalmers, Darlene; Gebhard, Amanda; Fletcher, Kara
    The following report presents the findings from my research practicum with Haven Family Connections, Haven Family Support program in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The purpose of this research practicum was to assist the agency in meeting their identified need for staff capacity-building on vicarious trauma and trauma informed practice. The research practicum was guided by the following question: How can Haven Family Connections, Haven Family Support increase staff knowledge of vicarious trauma and trauma informed practice and improve their capacity in delivery of trauma informed services? A literature review was completed to determine emerging themes and identified key knowledge areas on trauma and trauma informed practice. This review also informed the development of a staff trauma informed practice self-assessment tool. The results of the self-assessment, which asked staff about their knowledge and skills related to trauma and trauma informed practice, informed staff focus groups and provided a baseline for assessing the current knowledge and skills of staff on trauma and trauma informed practice. Data collected from both the staff self-assessment tool and two focus groups were utilized in training recommendations and the development of a staff training guide. The findings revealed areas of strength as well as areas for further development in terms of staff training and practices.
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    Developing a program evaluation for thinking for a change: integrated cognitive behavioral change program with incarcerated women in Saskatchewan: a research practicum report
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2019-03) Ziola, Joanne; Fletcher, Kara; Oba, Funke
    A program evaluation was developed for use by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice with the cognitive behavioural program Thinking for a Change. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the effectiveness of Thinking for a Change as utilized with incarcerated women in Saskatchewan. Data requests were made for sample groups of incarcerated women who had completed the program and a matched comparison group. A scan for gender responsivity in the program delivery was also conducted. The data sets received were not matched on factors that impact recidivism. Therefore, recommendations to the Ministry of Justice include correcting this oversight. Additional recommendations are made for the completion of the quantitative program evaluation as well as improving gender responsiveness in program delivery.
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    A dive into the ocean of counselling to explore learning treasure through the use of therapeutic approaches to support youth, children, and adults
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2021-12) Dave, Tanvi; Fletcher, Kara; Gebhard, Amanda
    This field practicum report reflects my experience in counselling at Catholic Family Services, Prince Albert. Throughout the practicum journey, I have received various opportunities to work with a diverse population to practice cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy with mindfulness, play therapy, and motivational interviewing. This practicum report will explain learning objectives and treatment approaches in these areas, followed by the most suitable case scenarios to demonstrate my learning goal and activities. This report includes a literature review on counselling therapy and how I extracted my learning experience from the challenges I encountered. Additionally, this report connects mental health and the importance of social workers in this busy demanding field. This report illustrates my skill set as a social worker and how I have utilized this opportunity to sharpen my skills to support adolescents, adults, and children. This report connects mental health as an ocean and my practicum journey as a diver to practice therapeutic approaches in counselling to explore and strengthen my learning.
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    An integrated approach to complex cases: adults with intellectual disabilities, mental health disorders, and criminal involvement
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2019-04) McFadden, Brittany; Fletcher, Kara; Jeffery, Bonnie
    This research report is a local current state review of supports and services available to individuals with intellectual disabilities (IWID), mental health disorders (MHD), and/or criminalized behavior. These individuals can be referred to as complex cases due to the diversity and extensiveness of their support needs. People with intellectual disabilities are a vulnerable population within our society. The addition of a mental health disorder and/or criminal involvement results in further oppression and marginalization of this group of individuals. Due to the complexity of their support needs, the government agencies responsible for providing services and support are struggling to adequately serve these individuals. The Ministry of Social Services, Justice, Health, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, have joined together in a collaborative task team to address this issue and ultimately develop a new service model to better meet the needs of these complex clients. This document will include an extensive literature review on the factors affecting this population along with identified best practices for supporting complex clients. In addition, a local review of programs and services within the community of Saskatoon will be explored to identify service gaps complex clients face. Finally, recommendations will be made for service development for IWID and complex support needs.
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    “It’s not about the waffle maker:” trauma-informed social work practice
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2018-04) McAvoy, Michelle; Fletcher, Kara; Chalmers, Darlene
    This report highlights my Master’s in social work practicum experiences in private practice providing trauma-informed therapy to clients who have experienced varying degrees of interpersonal trauma. The purpose of the practicum was to enrich my theoretical understanding of trauma-informed practice and enhance my clinical skills in direct social work practice with clients who have experienced trauma. This report summarizes my experiences as a clinical social worker in a private practice setting. I begin with an overview of my personal and professional experiences and highlight the rationale for my practicum placement. I then discuss my literature review defining the term ‘trauma,’ and discuss cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and attachment theory as foundational theories that guided my clinical work. I outline important aspects of trauma-informed practice and integrate a conceptual framework I used. Throughout this paper, I blend professional and practicum experiences regarding theoretical and practical applications of social work tools to client experiences. I note challenges and ethical considerations of trauma-informed practice and conclude with a brief summary and recommendations for future social work practice.
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    The power of the therapeutic relationship: a field practicum report
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2022-03) Kernohan, Heather; Fletcher, Kara; Milne, Lise
    This practicum report outlines my field practicum experience as a counselor with the University of Saskatchewan’s Student Wellness Centre. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, my field practicum was completed virtually including all counselling sessions, clinical supervision, professional development, and team meetings. I completed this field practicum in a part time capacity over a period of six months. During my practicum, I provided clinical counselling to 20 students, participated in monthly team meetings, engaged in regular clinical supervision, co-presented two mental health presentations to the U of S community, co-facilitated monthly mental health labs with U of S Peer Support, and engaged in professional development with my colleagues. This report will highlight a number of therapeutic approaches used during my practicum including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and narrative therapy. Case examples will be used to highlight the integration of theory into practice. Notable themes, ethical concerns, and a discussion on the nuances of virtual and telephone counselling will also be included. This report will conclude with some thoughts on both my personal and professional growth and development.
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    A practicum counselling experience at Family Service Regina
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2022-04) Rhodes-Reilly, Andrea; Halabuza, Donalda; Fletcher, Kara
    This report outlines my practicum experience providing counselling at Family Service Regina. It was my goal to fully immerse myself into the delivery of counselling services at Family Service Regina (FSR) and develop on my abilities to provide counselling with adults, children, families and couples. My initial focus was to incorporate emotionally focused couple’s therapy (EFT), solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) and acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT), however this goal was expanded to include the incorporation of models and practices that are effective with children in a counselling setting. In addition to the above noted models, I strived to operate from a trauma informed, attachment focused and anti-oppressive lens. I utilized self-reflective practice and integrated what I learned from regular supervision. I had the opportunity to work with a diverse population of clients, some of whom were experiencing challenging child behaviours, anxiety and depression, attachment and bond ruptures, historical trauma, grief and loss, transitional times of life, marital and relational challenges, and difficulties with strong emotions. My experience providing counselling at FSR has heightened my abilities and confidence as a counsellor.
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    Residential treatment for young children in care: a field practicum with Eagle’s Nest Youth Ranch
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2021-05) Stocki, Julie A.; Fletcher, Kara
    This paper is an account of a Master of Social Work field practicum with Eagle’s Nest Youth Ranch (ENYR). ENYR is a Residential Stabilization Program (RSP) that provides out of home therapeutic services to children in care of the Ministry of Social Services (MSS) in Saskatchewan. The organization subscribes to the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) and Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI). These models are used by ENYR to address the complex needs of the traumatized children in their care. Internal data was collected and analyzed on a new home opened up for young children ages 6-12, and the findings illustrated the significance of the caregiver/child relationships as a critical component to these children’s therapeutic interventions. This resulted in the development of a training module to assist front line staff at ENYR in better understanding child development, the impacts of trauma on the neurological development of the brain, and the implementation of NMT when working with children in care.
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    Through the lens of survivance theory: my time with the John Howard society of Saskatchewan
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2021-05) Tu’Inukuafe, Stan; Milne, Lise; Fletcher, Kara
    This report is a reflection of my Master of Social Work field practicum experience at the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan. The report includes an overview of the John Howard Society, outlines the goals and objectives of the practicum, and provides a review of the literature and history of survivance theory. My overarching goal during the four-month graduate level practicum was to gain knowledge and experience using survivance theory as I worked with gang-involved individuals in Saskatchewan: This report outlines how I integrated survivance theory into my practice during my practicum experience. Finally, this report includes sections on the challenges and ethical considerations I faced during the practicum and suggests implications of my learning for social work practice.