During my course in Human Behavior, I was able to develop my skills as a social worker in many

ways. The Most important aspect of the course I was able to identify was the concept of “person in

environment Perspective”. The person-in-environment perspective in social work is a practice-guiding

principle that highlights the importance of understanding an individual and individual behavior in light of

the environmental contexts in which that person lives and acts. This systems theory approach is a topic

from my foundation courses that I have frequently demonstrated in my field Practicum. The Systems

theory proposes that people are products of complex systems, rather than individuals who act in

isolation. In this theory, behavior is influenced by a variety of factors that work together as a system.

These factors include family, friends, social settings, religious structure, economic class, and home

environment, which can all influence how individuals act and think. This approach is the concept that

people can be heavily influenced by their environment. It highlights the importance of understanding an

individual and their behavior through their environment. A person’s environment, along with their

experiences, will help shape the way they view the world, how they think, and why they respond the

way they do. In Social Work, gathering information from our clients is a foundation piece of the work we

do and knowing what information to seek and how to organize it is like gathering pieces of a puzzle and

working to put them together to get the whole picture (or at least as much of it as we can). I have learnt

to review and improve my communication and reflective learning skills in the capacity of a student social

worker. I think that communicating as a social worker is quite different from my past experiences in

working with schoolmates and external organizations in that it is more necessary than ever to be

accurately aware of people’s needs, concerns, and goals. I am slowly learning not to make assumptions

about clients and their situations in my work with them, choosing instead to clarify these matters with

them in order to understand and frame the situation from their points of view.

Systems theory can be used to treat issues: like eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorder,

anxiety, trauma, and risky behavior, which are often conditions reported by the youth involved in the
juvenile justice system. In ecological systems theory, individuals are observed in multiple environments

so that behavior is fully understood. Family systems theory examines the family as a social system

influencing behavior and thoughts. As a Professional Social work intern, I am using systems theory to

understand how clients are influenced by the systems they’re a part of. Using this approach, I can better

identify where systemic breakdowns are affecting the behaviors of the youth with whom I am providing

Case Management services. I find that supervision has been extremely useful in helping me to address

my case planning concerns and personal growth as a social worker. As much as it is possible, I would

encourage fellow students to build good relationships with their supervisors, as they are the people

whom you can turn to and talk honestly with when you face challenges at work. My supervisor is patient

in going through session plans and debriefs with me; as a result, I have learned to pace according to a

client’s comfort level, rather than be blindsided by objectives I hope to achieve. I have also had the

chance to explore how personal issues and weaknesses may affect my work and how I can manage these

anxieties or stressors which surface. For example, I am by nature very eager to please and want to go all

out when helping other people. Sometimes, however, Story Catchers does not have the capacity to

support clients in certain areas. Neither are we here to run people’s lives. As such, I balance between

these limitations and my personality by trying to give information and referring people to relevant

agencies where possible.

We talk a lot about client self-determination in social work. In that practicum I was challenged

by that, to really put that into practice. Facilitating a group where the youth had the desire to return to

the environments that challenged them the most was challenging. I really wanted to say ‘don’t go back

there’ – but I had to learn how to explore this with them.

I have been able to demonstrate many social work values by utilizing this approach with the

clients we are servicing at Story Catchers Theatre. As professional social workers relationships are built
on regard for individual worth and dignity and furthered by mutual participation and acceptance,

confidentiality, honesty, and responsible handling of conflict. As a developing social worker, I have been

able to demonstrate value in respecting youth’s rights to make independent decisions and to participate

in the helping process. During my field practicum, I have been able to place value in understanding the

need to make social institutions more humane and responsive to the needs of our justice-involved

youth. By placing the value of my youth from an urban contextual approach, I am able to place respect

and acceptance of the unique characteristics of this diverse population.

My knowledge base grew about what it was really like to deal with clients. We have these

theories at school and a homework assignment, and it seems like there is a right answer. But in real life

with real clients, it takes a while to come up with answers. Watching my supervisor was the most

beneficial learning experience that I’ve had in any environment. He’s a very centered, balanced person

who knows what he’s doing. he was able to convey that, to teach by example and not by being directive,

with staff, the youth, and me…. When I was dealing with certain circumstances, I would think about him

and draw on his approach. The other thing I learned a lot about is dual relationships and boundary

issues. My field instructor told me and taught me how to handle this. he also helped me to learn to set

boundaries with clients who only wanted to talk to me for hours on end.

In conclusion, I am still processing this placement. I am grateful to the school for putting me in a

place where I was supported. That’s been difficult for me, and for the other person who was placed

there, but I also have these moments where I think ‘wow I haven’t been so challenged in a long time’. …I

ended up figuring out how to have a strong voice.