Much has been written about the importance of mindfulness in social work practice. It is not difficult to locate peer reviewed studies citing the value of mindful practice in any of the human service fields. In a 2008 article by Turner he describes the similarities of mindfulness practice and clinical social work practice stating “(T)hat suffering can be relieved as both clinicians and clients develop the skills and qualities that result from incorporating mindfulness into their work. A Google search quickly brings up many articles and books on the subject. In my own professional work in mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and social work I have found that incorporating mindfulness has had a positive effect but my experience has also led me to believe it is a good idea that has yet to be put into everyday practice.
I am currently a graduate social work student at Humboldt State University. During my internships over the last few years and my previous work as an and alcohol and other drug and mental health treatment provider I have come into direct contact with many social workers as they perform their various tasks (mostly in work connected with child welfare). I have spent a time talking with social workers of all ages and levels of experience about their own personal values and beliefs. Without exception everyone responds to questions about the importance of mindfulness positively – many talk about how they try to incorporate mindfulness into their own work.
But, in my experience, I do not see social workers’ practice being consistent with their expressed personal philosophy – and I include myself in that observation. I observe many social workers who are clearly highly experienced, half-heartedly going through the motions of providing services to their clients. So what is going on? Is the profession filled with hypocrites? Are people satisfied with mediocre practice and expressing their work in strictly pathological terms? I am proposing not.
I am suggesting that the culture as a whole does not support the values and tenants of social work practice as put forth by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the resultant laws, agencies, and policies just minimally support the profession. In a study by Regehr (2004) he states that “Ongoing workload stressors in the jobs of child welfare workers have been found to include unwieldy caseloads, court appearances, overwhelming paperwork and negative public perceptions”. As a result the social worker often ends up working only on the most severe cases and playing catch up with the rest. Regehr (2004) also speaks to the effect of high level crisis after crisis creating a situation where the social worker is overwhelmed and suffers from secondary traumatic stress disorder. In other words – very little opportunity for mindfulness or strength based practice.
Where and how can the change occur? I believe it starts with me. I am too busy to get the exercise or to sit in meditation to clear my mind. Yet what I do seem to have time to do is to relax from the stress and overwhelm I am feeling and watch a few sitcoms on TV. The culture promotes and I accept the notion that since I am a victim of the government, my spouse, the system, our work, (you fill in the blank) I am entitled to a few hours of “escape” into mindless behavior. We are encouraged to see ourselves as victims and as such we operate out of fear and focus in on what is wrong with the system.
It takes a monumental effort but a person must step out of the culture long enough to realized the positive tools we have around us. Health, both mentally and physically, is there for the taking. Fruits and vegetables are cheaper than processed food. Your dog needs and wants to be walked. More problems are not going to be solved if problems are all a person focuses on. The focus needs to be on creating a positive environment within which to live. I don’t think anyone disagrees and this is not a new idea but the question remains – in real practical terms, how?
I am currently a graduate social work student at Humboldt State University. During my internships over the last few years and my previous work as an and alcohol and other drug and mental health treatment provider I have come into direct contact with many social workers as they perform their various tasks (mostly in work connected with child welfare). I have spent a time talking with social workers of all ages and levels of experience about their own personal values and beliefs. Without exception everyone responds to questions about the importance of mindfulness positively – many talk about how they try to incorporate mindfulness into their own work.
But, in my experience, I do not see social workers’ practice being consistent with their expressed personal philosophy – and I include myself in that observation. I observe many social workers who are clearly highly experienced, half-heartedly going through the motions of providing services to their clients. So what is going on? Is the profession filled with hypocrites? Are people satisfied with mediocre practice and expressing their work in strictly pathological terms? I am proposing not.
I am suggesting that the culture as a whole does not support the values and tenants of social work practice as put forth by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the resultant laws, agencies, and policies just minimally support the profession. In a study by Regehr (2004) he states that “Ongoing workload stressors in the jobs of child welfare workers have been found to include unwieldy caseloads, court appearances, overwhelming paperwork and negative public perceptions”. As a result the social worker often ends up working only on the most severe cases and playing catch up with the rest. Regehr (2004) also speaks to the effect of high level crisis after crisis creating a situation where the social worker is overwhelmed and suffers from secondary traumatic stress disorder. In other words – very little opportunity for mindfulness or strength based practice.
Where and how can the change occur? I believe it starts with me. I am too busy to get the exercise or to sit in meditation to clear my mind. Yet what I do seem to have time to do is to relax from the stress and overwhelm I am feeling and watch a few sitcoms on TV. The culture promotes and I accept the notion that since I am a victim of the government, my spouse, the system, our work, (you fill in the blank) I am entitled to a few hours of “escape” into mindless behavior. We are encouraged to see ourselves as victims and as such we operate out of fear and focus in on what is wrong with the system.It takes a monumental effort but a person must step out of the culture long enough to realized the positive tools we have around us. Health, both mentally and physically, is there for the taking. Fruits and vegetables are cheaper than processed food. Your dog needs and wants to be walked. More problems are not going to be solved if problems are all a person focuses on. The focus needs to be on creating a positive environment within which to live. I don’t think anyone disagrees and this is not a new idea but the question remains – in real practical terms, how?
Mindfulness. What does that mean? Meditating? Yes. Conscious Living? Yes. Meaningful work? Yes. In other words, learning how to use the “full mind”. I am proposing that the solution to feeling overwhelmed is not working harder. I am proposing it is learning how to create positive environments where full brains are stimulated and creating solutions. How does a person stimulate the frontal cortex and expand their thinking? I believe that once that question is answered for social workers and clients alike, the solutions to problems begin to present themselves.
A few examples: Education. It is generally agreed that the quality of life for people who have higher literacy rates and educational levels is better. Sanders (2009) is just one article that reports the enhanced lives of children given increased educational opportunities versus children who were not. The quality of life enhancement refers to opportunities, income, health, and more. Let’s start by talking about health. If a person is given health care they will be healthier. But by increasing the ability to use the frontal cortex through mindfulness practice, literacy, and other educational opportunities a person also learns how to think about their health. The focus moves from finding something to eat right now to finding something to eat for this month that is not contaminated or finding something for the entire homeless community to eat. If the food is contaminated this of course leads to increased health problems. If I know how to think I know that to drink water it is often helpful to heat the water first, perhaps make tea, which then kills harmful bacteria, viruses, or other contaminates in the water.
I am proposing that social work is not simply teaching people how to get their needs met. It is also about teaching people how to think and how to learn. My work becomes not so much how to meet the needs of the people as teaching them how to think about their needs and move from needing into solutions. If I don’t take the time to increase my mindfulness how can I expect my clients to take the time to increase their mindfulness? Solutions based social work practice incorporating mindfulness practice. It is more than a great idea. It is the solution.
REFERENCES:
Regehr, C., Hemsworth, D., Leslie, B., Howe, P., & Chau, S. (2004). Predictors of post-traumatic distress in child welfare workers: a linear structural equation model. Children and Youth Services Review, 26, 331-346.
A few examples: Education. It is generally agreed that the quality of life for people who have higher literacy rates and educational levels is better. Sanders (2009) is just one article that reports the enhanced lives of children given increased educational opportunities versus children who were not. The quality of life enhancement refers to opportunities, income, health, and more. Let’s start by talking about health. If a person is given health care they will be healthier. But by increasing the ability to use the frontal cortex through mindfulness practice, literacy, and other educational opportunities a person also learns how to think about their health. The focus moves from finding something to eat right now to finding something to eat for this month that is not contaminated or finding something for the entire homeless community to eat. If the food is contaminated this of course leads to increased health problems. If I know how to think I know that to drink water it is often helpful to heat the water first, perhaps make tea, which then kills harmful bacteria, viruses, or other contaminates in the water.
I am proposing that social work is not simply teaching people how to get their needs met. It is also about teaching people how to think and how to learn. My work becomes not so much how to meet the needs of the people as teaching them how to think about their needs and move from needing into solutions. If I don’t take the time to increase my mindfulness how can I expect my clients to take the time to increase their mindfulness? Solutions based social work practice incorporating mindfulness practice. It is more than a great idea. It is the solution.
REFERENCES:
Regehr, C., Hemsworth, D., Leslie, B., Howe, P., & Chau, S. (2004). Predictors of post-traumatic distress in child welfare workers: a linear structural equation model. Children and Youth Services Review, 26, 331-346.
Sanders, J., Munford, R., & Maden, B. (2009). Enhancing outcomes for children and young people: The potential of multi-layered interventions. Children and Youth Services Review, 31, 1086-1091.
Turner,T. (2009). Mindfulness: The present Moment in Clinical Social Work. Clinical Social Work Journal, 37, 95-103
nice post. I know their are many good social workers. However, many have the "I am God" just do what I say attitude. They come across very adversarial, you can't get REAL work done when people are afraid to communicate what they need. To the good ones, keep up the good work, you are appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI believe that our liberal government tends to hire social workers that are more dangerous and agenda and money pushers. I believe that Child Protection should be abolished until it quits doing more harm than good.
ReplyDeleteWell said, as a child Welfare worker, I would love to see mindfulness as part of regular training and burn out prevention.
ReplyDelete