Master’s Practicum and Project Reports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10294/16754

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Open Access
Clinical counselling at Joshua Tree Learning Centre: a field practicum experience
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2024-08-08) Hogberg, Tiara S.; Milne, Lise; Eaton, Andrew
This report provides a description of my field practicum experience in a clinical counselling experience with Joshua Tree Learning Centre. The report includes a literature review of the theoretical frameworks and approaches that guided my interactions and the work I did during my practicum. The report then discusses the specific counselling modalities I adopted through the use of an integrative approach, which included narrative therapy, trauma- focused cognitive behaviour therapy, expressive therapy, and equine facilitated psychotherapy, as well as practices in individual counselling and group work. The report also highlights case examples and discusses how my learning goals were achieved throughout my practicum experience. Supervision experiences and self-reflection on the practicum experience will be discussed, followed by a section on challenges, including ethical dilemmas that arose and appropriate boundaries and self-care. My personal and professional values will be reflected throughout the report. To conclude, implications for my future social practice will be discussed, as well as final comments on the benefits of utilizing an integrative therapeutic approach.
Open Access
Perspectives on reform: a cross-border analysis of sex work policy in New Zealand
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2024-07) Preston, Shylan; Eaton, Andrew; Pino, Fritz
This practicum report outlines my experience as a graduate social work student at the University of Regina, travelling to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, New Zealand to complete an international practicum placement with Aotearoa/New Zealand Sex Worker’s Collective (NZPC). The goals of my practicum were to advance my graduate level social work knowledge and to engage with an area of social work that would provide me with a deeper understanding of macro social work practice while working alongside those working within sex work in a country where it is decriminalized. This report will include a literature review, exploring the various policies that inform sex work legislation globally, while highlighting the advantages that adopting a full decriminalized approach to sex work has. As highlighted by the New Zealand Model, a comparative analysis will be completed on the current legislative landscape within Canada. Additionally, this report will include personal reflections that occurred throughout my placement, including the connection of direct practice to personal values and ethics. Completing a practicum placement with NZPC has been an invaluable opportunity that has supported me in advancing my social work practice within a variety of areas. Through my work alongside NZPC, I developed an understanding of how the sociopolitical and legal frameworks for sex work in New Zealand and Canada differ, gaining a deeper understanding of policy reform.
Open Access
Counselling at the Youth Resource Centre
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2024-08-23) Chowdhury, Shabnam; Sanchez, Miguel; Pino, Fritz
This report details my clinical experience as well as my learnings and insights such as how theory and practice were integrated throughout my field practicum. The practicum was completed at the Youth Resource Centre (YRC) with Mental Health and Addictions Services (MHAS) in Saskatoon within the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). The first sections of this report focus on my learning goals, practicum tasks, and my overall experiences in this setting. I then discuss the three therapeutic frameworks I used: Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Informed Care (TIC). Furthermore, I shared my reflection on how I engaged with the assessment process that this setting provides. I discuss further how the relevant literature and theories are applicable in working with the population receiving services from this Centre. In conclusion, I address the ethical dilemma and social work values that I prominently encounter. I conclude with my final reflection summary.
Open Access
Northern social work practice: three months of discovery at Yukon Health and Social Services
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2024-07) Coutts, Sarah
This report outlines my MSW practicum experiences in working in Whitehorse Yukon in Health and Social Services for three months during the Summer of 2018. Yukon Health and Social Services serves clients in a variety of capacities including the Income Support Unit. I worked in the Income Support Unit for eight weeks on a full-time basis while completing the remaining four weeks formulating a project looking at ways to incorporate the voices of individuals with lived experience in service delivery, program development, and policy. I wanted to gain an appreciation and understanding of how Cognitive Behavioral techniques can be used to assist individuals who are struggling with economic insecurity to obtain meaningful employment, cope with life stressors, and manage stress in a variety of ways. A key component of my practicum also involved formulating a report which includes tangible recommendations on how individuals with lived experience could be represented in Northern Health and Social Services in actionable ways. As this area of practice is not well represented in the Yukon, I wanted to shed light on ways in which individuals with lived experience could be represented in meaningful ways within existing systems. This project allowed me the ability to have discussions with leaders in a variety of Health and Social Services programs to gain valuable insight into how this objective could be achieved in different ways. The use of Appreciative Inquiry as a model gave me a greater understanding of the importance of using a model to map out ways in which recommendations could be realized, deciphered, and implemented.
Open Access
Supporting children and families with developmental differences through a trauma-informed and disability justice-oriented approach
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2024-05) Vass, Kristen A.; Pino, Fritz; Sorensen, Michele
This practicum report summarizes and reflects my learning and experiences at the Alvin Buckwold Child Development Program (ABCDP) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a clinical field practicum in partial fulfilment of a Master of Social Work degree. The purpose of this 450-hour practicum was to gain graduate-level field experience using a trauma-informed care and disability justice-oriented approach while working with children and families accessing support at the ABCDP. In addition to working as a multidisciplinary team member, I engaged in case management, provided therapy to children and caregivers, and became familiar with various programs relevant to children and families with developmental differences. The report begins with a description of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the ABCDP, a discussion of my learning goals and outcomes, and an overview of child development and family-centred care. A literature review of trauma-informed care and disability justice follows. I then discuss how these frameworks were integrated into my clinical social work practicum, along with social work values and ethical considerations. The report concludes with a summary and reflection on the personal and professional growth I experienced because of my clinical practicum experience.
Open Access
“Shared responsibility” an intersectional approach to sexual violence prevention: counselling and training experiences at the sexual violence and response office
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2024-07) Fraser, Jessica; Shokirova, Takhmina; Eaton, Andrew
Sexual violence affects a significant amount of people in Saskatchewan, in particular women experiencing the highest rates of sexual violence. In Canada, there are a significant number of students in post-secondary institutions who have experienced or witnessed unwanted sexual behaviour. This report outlines my experiences while completing the MSW field practicum at the Sexual Violence and Prevention office located at the University of Regina. The ultimate goals of my practicum were to gain clinical counselling knowledge using a trauma-informed framework and to gain skills to provide educational opportunities for students to learn about gender-based violence. This report will highlight my use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and the use of Judith Herman’s (2022) stages of trauma recovery. These tools were utilized in counselling practice when supporting someone who has experienced gender-based violence. Additionally, I will discuss education and awareness-raising important events that occurred related to gender-based violence with the campus community. Beyond my day-to-day practicum, I will highlight how I have been reflective and aware of my positionality and to ensure I am an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed social worker.
Open Access
Beyond free condoms and exit strategies: developing a working model of practice with sex working clients through a field practicum experience
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2024-07-11) Ritenburg, Emily; Roy, Renee; Beckwell, Erin; Pino, Fritz; Eaton, Andrew
Open Access
Supporting individuals experiencing mental health and addiction in homeless populations in Regina: case management experience at Salvation Army Waterston Ministries
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2024-11) Oduenyi, Chinonso Stephanie
This practicum report describes my learning and insights gained at the Salvation Army Waterston Ministries, Regina, Saskatchewan. My work as a practicum student involved providing supervised case management support and services to individuals experiencing houselessness/homelessness, including those with mental health challenges and/or those living with addictions. This report explains the rationale for my practicum placement, the programs and services offered by The Salvation Army Waterston Ministries, my learning goals, objectives, and the activities completed to accomplish the learning goals. A literature review focused on issues of homelessness in Regina, as well as the social work intervention of case management within which I integrated Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care (TIC). Within this report, my worldviews have been informed by a strength-based perspective, ecological theory, and a mental health approach that incorporates elements of anti-oppressive practice. This report also includes a discussion of ethical , dilemmas and challenges I encountered throughout the practicum placement.
Open Access
Clinical counselling at the caring place in Regina: a field practicum report
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2022-06-06) Forcheh, Irene A.; Pino, Fritz; Durst, Douglas; Novotna, Gabriela
This report documents the learning and insights I gained from my clinical field practicum at The Caring Place (TCP). In this report, I emphasize how I achieved my learning objectives, the ways in which I integrated theory and practice while engaging on the activities to achieve my objectives. My overarching goal was to gain graduate level clinical social work skills and knowledge in counseling, specifically on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma Informed Care. I show examples from my counselling sessions that demonstrated how I implemented the tenets and principles of these therapeutic modalities. This report starts with the discussion of my rationale of doing a clinical social work practicum, which has led me to The Caring Place. This is followed by literature review related to the counselling modalities mentioned as well as discussion of my theoretical framework. I also incorporated a section where I discuss the challenges I encountered during the practicum. I concluded by reflecting on my vision for future clinical social work practice.
Open Access
Rainbows and roadblocks: a counselling journey at Ehrlo Counselling Services
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2022-07) Nyalowo, Nina; Novik, Nuelle; Halabuza, Donalda
This practicum report reflects and summarizes my learning experiences as a student counsellor during a twelve-week field practicum placement at Ehrlo Counselling Services (ECS). This report outlines my learning goals and outcomes, as well as the challenges and successes I experienced throughout my practicum. It provides a literature review focused on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed practice (TIP). This report briefly highlights lessons I learnt, and skills I gained from practicing motivational interviewing under clinical supervision, which enhanced my social work skills. Additionally, this report will discuss my insights, learning opportunities, ethical considerations, self-care, and de-colonization in counselling.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
Treatment of compasion fatigue with internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2022-04) Larson, Kimberly; Novik, Nuelle; Durst, Douglas
Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon regarding the psychological impact of bearing witness to the ongoing suffering of clients when working in a helping profession. Compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, professional burnout, and vicarious trauma are terms used interchangeably to explain this phenomenon. Compassion fatigue is the unique experience of those working in helping professions as it combines the emotional impact of secondary trauma exposure but also the frustrations and burnout related to the limitations to helping. Left untreated compassion fatigue can result in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. The Online Therapy Unit is a psychology lab at the University of Regina for research, education and service delivery. The Wellbeing Course is an online transdiagnostic treatment course based on cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of anxiety and depression offered by the Online Therapy Unit. The purpose of this research project was to recommend specific adaptations that could be made to the current course, such as inclusion of specific trauma content and self-care strategies, that make the course a viable treatment option for helping professionals experiencing anxiety and depression stemming from compassion fatigue. Psycho-education about the components of compassion fatigue would make the course an appropriate treatment option. This research project is a qualitative exploratory study and includes a literature review, findings from experiential learning, content analysis of the Wellbeing Course and analysis of secondary data.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
My clinical counselling journey during a pandemic at Francis Psychotherapy and Consulting Services in Ontario
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2021-12) Williams, Nekeya Lateka; Halabuza, Donalda; Nuelle, Novik
This field practicum report is a reflection of my clinical counselling journey during my Master of Social Work field practicum placement at Francis Psychotherapy Consulting Services in New Market, Ontario. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my placement involved providing clinical counselling services using telephone and video conferencing mediums from a remote location. The objective of my field practicum was to gain advanced level social work knowledge and counselling skills in a clinical setting by focusing on integrating various therapeutic approaches. I provided services to a total of six clients by using different therapeutic approaches via online platforms (Zoom and Jane App). This report highlights cognitive behavioural therapy, solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy, and how they were integrated throughout my clinical counselling placement. A discussion of my experience delivering services using various video conferencing mediums and telephone during the pandemic is also highlighted in this report. Ethical issues and challenges encountered when offering remote services were explored, as well as the different skills and strategies I learnt during the practicum journey. All in all, my practicum journey was transformative and emancipatory. I have gained tremendous insights and clinical experiences while my clients have benefited greatly from the application of cognitive behavioural therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, and narrative therapy. I was also able to use my intersecting identities and experiential knowledge to provide support and respond to the varied needs of my clients which is pivotal in building therapeutic relationships.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
Knowing my child: family-centric parent engagement and ADHD at school
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2021-12) Thiessen, Nicole; Milne, Lise; Chalmers, Darlene
The intent of this report is to explore family-centric parent engagement from an analytic auto-ethnographical perspective in the school environment with parents that have a child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Completed under the umbrella of Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD), the largest rural school division in Saskatchewan, the qualitative research outcomes detailed in this document will examine current literature on family-centric parent engagement and ADHD within schools and provide an analysis of data collected through five qualitative interviews with parents. The themes of parental stigma, relationships, school systems failure, and parent voice emerged as critical considerations regarding family-centric parent engagement in schools with families that have children diagnosed with ADHD. The knowledge gained through examining this lived experience is a critical consideration connecting the concept of parent engagement with alternate ways of engaging families that have a child diagnosed with ADHD. This is an important connection in the field of school social work that will provide best practice recommendations for school counsellors and educators who work with families who have children diagnosed with ADHD. Recommendations provided to PSSD regarding best practice for working with families who have children diagnosed with ADHD are included.
Open Access
Adapting capacity at the Alzheimer Society of Calgary to meet the demands of a culturally diverse population of persons living with dementia
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2022-03) Roszell, Ashley N.; Novotna, Gabriela; Halabuza, Donalda
This report provides an account of the student’s Master of Social Work research practicum with the Alzheimer Society of Calgary (ASC), a non-profit dementia serving society. The report first starts with an introduction that describes the issue under consideration, the objectives of the study and the context of the research practicum. After the introduction, the report provides a comprehensive literature review on the topic of dementia and caregiving, highlighting research on trauma, trauma-informed care, the social impact of COVID-19, counselling frameworks, therapy techniques, single session interactions, and research on dementia perspectives. Next, the report reviews current policy and procedures within the Learning and Support Services (LSS) Department at the ASC, and provides a critical analysis of the Best Friends™ Approach which serves as the core professional development training offered by the agency. The report also incorporates Adaptive Capacity tasks aimed at building the internal capacity of the LSS Department. This includes the steps taken by the ASC to define agency social worker’s scope of practice and increase cultural awareness and sensitivity. The report then goes on to discuss the new acronyms proposed by the student researcher for caregivers’ communication with persons living with dementia (PLWD) and agency social workers’ communication with caregivers. It integrates presentations on mental health and therapy techniques that the student researcher created for this practicum as well. Lastly, the report includes data collected from an interview with an agency social worker, an environmental scan on dementia serving organizations in Alberta, a discussion on the major benefits and opportunities for growth at the ASC, implications for social work practice, and ends with a conclusion.
Open Access
Trauma-informed perspective to address homelessness youth experience after aging out of the Foster care system in Saskatchewan
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2022-07) Reimer, Pamela; Novotna, Gabriela; Sinclair, Raven; Hopper, Tristan
This report details my experience completing a research practicum at Street Culture Project (SCP), a non-profit organization focused on providing the support and resources needed by youth to help them reach their full potential and self-sufficiency. This research practicum included an environmental scan of the current gaps and barriers impacting the access to housing services of youth utilizing services at SCP after they aged out of the foster care system in Saskatchewan. This report provides an outline for addressing the gaps within the foster care system to assist with making smoother transitions for youth aging out of care from a trauma-informed perspective. A list of recommendations to inform programming that can be taken forward to potential funders has been included for consideration by SCP.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
Implementing aspects of trauma-informed care in psychoeducational groups for psychiatric patients in acute settings: social work perspectives
(Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2022-03) Egan, Patrick; Novotna, Gabriela; Novik, Nuelle
This practicum report discusses and analyzes my practicum experience as a social worker at Vernon Jubilee Hospital in Vernon, British Columbia. The focus of this practicum report is on trauma-informed practice and how it can be implemented into health care. My primary goal for the practicum was to gain experience and become familiar with the role of a social worker in an acute psychiatric unit, while designing and implementing a trauma-informed psychoeducational group for patients with a focus on wellness, emotional regulation, relapse prevention, and discharge planning. This practicum report provides an extensive literature review on psychoeducation groupwork, trauma-informed practice, and adverse childhood experiences. It explores how trauma-informed practice can be utilized in health care, and how it can be applied in practice. Further, the report discusses my experiences and the role of the social worker while working in the emergency department, intensive care unit, psychiatric unit, and home health program. Finally, this practicum report will discuss and analyze the ethical considerations and challenges of my experience as a graduate social work student during my practicum placement with Vernon Jubilee Hospital.