As a trained and experienced social worker, I use this approach when clients need an holistic assessment and approach to intervention. I have developed a model that is adapted to individual needs.
ISSC therapists or GPs often ask me how a Social Worker can assist with their client or patient. Below are some examples of how I can work in with you – feel free to phone to talk about any other need you may have:
- motivational interviewing to increase client participation in community and exercise (I do a lot of behaviour activation work and behavioural goals to complement client’s work with therapists)
- draw on experience in Adventure Therapy to connect people in to activities in the outdoors doing activities
- advocacy for WINZ, ACC, housing and health appointments
- psychoeducation around client’s health needs
- budgeting
- preparing to get back to work
- pain management strategies
- ACT model for committed action for goal setting, planning, skill training and formal exposure. (Counselling skills allow a highly therapeutic approach to social work interventions; trained in ACT for Trauma).
I have a growing interest in somatics and the use of movement in social work interventions. In the last few years, in particular doing ACC contracts, I have grown my practice to work largely in behavioural activation work, using the outdoors as a medium to connect people and a place to practice coping strategies/breathing techniques, graded exposure, scaffold on concepts clients have learnt in therapy (I interweave knowledge from my counselling training in order to do this.. If you are an ACC client, such goals for doing this work, would be set in collaboration with your therapist). Having completed a robust professional paper in Adventure Therapy as part of my Masters, and experience in Adventure Therapy in my early days as a clinician, I now draw on these skills under my social work service. I have recently completed 20hours Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga training, and currently building on my professional development in the area of somatic work.
If outdoors is not your thing, then I draw on the other wide networks and resources I have for connecting people into other activities in the community.
My social work background allows a well-rounded knowledge base of other resources in the community and health sector, enabling me to link people or make referrals to such agencies.
I have a good knowledge about base of care and protection issues, mental health, family harm and systemic dynamics – offering a client-centred approach.
Jo Stewart Social Work / Counselling 