“I live in prison and sometimes I visit the streets” : utilizing narrative therapy at the Regional Psychiatric Centre : a field practicum report

Abstract

The purpose of this practicum placement was to gain knowledge and experience in utilizing narrative therapy with complex clients admitted to a correctional institution. In this practicum report, I provide an account of my experience as a Master of Social Work student during a four-month practicum placement with the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Specifically, the report includes an overview of the Regional Psychiatric Centre and provides a literature review on narrative therapy; it outlines my personal and professional values and ideologies when working with individuals with mental health and addiction concerns, and it discusses my learning objectives and how I achieved them. Furthermore, I demonstrate how I incorporated narrative therapy into practice with clients at the institution. Finally, I included sections on challenges and ethical considerations and implications of my learning for social work practice.