In my opinion, the meaning of “personal self” is how our
life experiences influence the way we function as a social worker. The term “values” was used to describe personal
self and our values contribute to how we learn empathy. Personal values, ethics, and empathy were
taught to me as a child. For example, watching
my father feed homeless people as he turns to me and says “don’t ever turn
people away who are asking for food”. My
mother told me, “don’t laugh at people who are different because my aunt Barbara-May
is retarded (that was the word they used back then). In childhood it was learning, in adulthood,
it was embracing these values instead of pretending they don’t exist. I believe some people are not taught the
value of human kindness and fail to develop empathy for others.
In regards to personality, I believe I am the same person in
public when running into my clients because my relationship with them is
genuine. In past experience, my clients
with mental illness approached me in public places. I would imagine my current clients who are
higher functioning, would not want to explain how they know me due to stigma of
seeing a counselor or social worker for help. Due to confidentiality and HIPPA, I am unable
to initiate any contact in public.
However, I inform them at intake about the law and invite them to
approach me if they want.
At first, I was taught we should not share certain personal
experiences because clients may use it against you. I have found the helping relationship grows
stronger with some discretion of self-disclosure and sharing. I found sharing pieces helps them to
understand we are people just like they are with real problems in past or
present. I am well aware of transference
and how it may cause us discomfort but being able to recognize it and where you
go with it is the important part. Being
open and looking for certain connections is important. Some examples are relating to a client who
has Hispanic roots or someone new to the community from the Mid-west or having
someone close to you who abuses drugs or alcohol. All these situations build rapport with
client in identifying how you may have similar experiences.
Worldviews are described as differences and how one idea
does not fit all human races. Understanding
worldviews is meant teach us human kindness as a service and mindful awareness
of who our audience is. I find
worldviews important to understand the diversity of cultures we are surrounded with
and how every situation is different based on our culture and upbringing. I reflect
to my own place in this world of being different ethnicities and how we all
experience life through different eyes.
We have to practice being aware of not bringing judgment or our belief
system into the picture while working with clients.
My favorite part of social work is witnessing the strength
in the human spirit and all it endures in each person’s journey. I have great respect for each story I hear and
every culture I am exposed to. I
continue to learn from my clients and find myself thirsting for more in my
journey. I have once sat with a client
who insisted I sit and eat a lunch of Puerto Rican food, she shared her recipes
and they will always be a part of me. Recently,
working with a Native American client who shared her story of a not so great
childhood and worse adulthood, thanked me at the end of the session for sharing
a story about my family with her. This was symbolic for me because it made me appreciate her
and what I learn from many great people. I will always remember how a simple thank you
from her made me feel competent and solidify my choice in the service field.
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