Implementing aspects of trauma-informed care in psychoeducational groups for psychiatric patients in acute settings: social work perspectives

Abstract

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.