March is Social Work Month, and this year’s theme is Empowering Social Workers. So, to help celebrate, we want to shine a light on the positive contributions of social workers within our WELL Health Clinic Network
In collaboration with Focus Mental Wellness, we asked four amazing social workers to tell us about their journeys and experiences in social work.
Q&A With Jayne Stewart
What inspired you to become a social worker?
I was drawn to social work’s intersectional approach to understanding & enhancing health and well-being. I am proud to be a social worker, as I find great value in helping people explore the connections between their personal problems and contributing environmental factors, such as their families, social structures, and larger social issues.
What do you find most rewarding as a social worker?
I am honoured to be entrusted by my clients to help them attune to their innate wisdom and progress towards their goals. Witnessing people in the process of change is deeply meaningful.
Can you share a memorable experience positively impacting someone’s life?
A few years ago, I worked with a gentleman who had recently experienced a traumatic brain injury, which made it more challenging for him to verbally communicate. By incorporating arts-based modalities into his therapy sessions, he could express himself, significantly aiding in his recovery.
How do you practice self-care while supporting others in difficult situations?
Some ways I practice self-care include speaking kindly to myself, honouring my boundaries, ensuring I take time to drink water and eat meals (even on busy days), spending time outdoors, and regularly connecting with my social supports.
Are there misconceptions about social workers that you’d like to dispel?
A common misconception about social workers is that we work solely with people who are “down on their luck.” This often leads people to question, “Is my problem severe enough to seek therapy?” People engage in therapy for many reasons, and when it comes to seeking help, no problem is too big or too small. Social workers are here for you.
Learn more about Jayne
To book an appointment or learn more, check out Jayne’s profile with Focus Mental Wellness.
Q&A With Thelma Abankwa
What inspired you to become a social worker?
I loved that social work is a regulated profession based on building meaningful connections with others in need. One of the most satisfying aspects of my job is the opportunity to positively impact someone’s life.
What do you find most rewarding as a social worker?
It is rewarding to witness the vulnerability and authenticity of other human beings with the opportunity to see them achieve the goals and accomplishments they set out to.
Can you share a memorable experience positively impacting someone’s life?
When I was working as a crisis helpline volunteer, I spoke with an elderly individual for about two hours, and that individual stated that they hadn’t had an enjoyable social interaction with someone in a year!
How do you practice self-care while supporting others in difficult situations?
I prioritize finishing work at 9:00 PM, eating all meals, drinking water, getting sufficient sleep, moving, experiencing daylight, and travelling!
Are there misconceptions about social workers that you’d like to dispel?
It’s a common misconception that social workers are overly empathetic or solely focused on separating families. In reality, our approach is grounded in clinical expertise. We aim to understand the various aspects of your life and how they interconnect to support your well-being.
Learn more about Thelma
To book an appointment or learn more, check out Thelma’s profile with Focus Mental Wellness.
Q&A with Cristina Lamonica
What inspired you to become a social worker?
From adolescence onwards, I became interested in social justice in all its forms. I wanted to work in an occupation where I could make a difference in improving the lives of others. I was also analytical, so I naturally gravitated to studying social work, which gave me a foundation for understanding societal and family systems, child development, and relationship health.
What do you find most rewarding as a social worker?
I get a wonderful feeling when I receive positive feedback from my clients. The best feeling is seeing people unfold as they tap into their strengths and change self-defeating ways of thinking and living.
Can you share a memorable experience positively impacting someone’s life?
Someone I worked with shared a painful secret with me, feeling isolated & ashamed for most of their lives. I was pleased they felt safe sharing with me. Using a developmental approach, they understood that we are a product of our environment & life experiences, which mould our actions. This enabled them to let go of internalizing & shaming themselves to carry on with a healthier outlook.
How do you practice self-care while supporting others in difficult situations?
I have trusted colleagues to consult with on tough clinical situations. I prioritize healthy eating, exercise, sleep, and outdoor time, which are the pillars of mental well-being. I also attend therapy to work through my own stressors. You’ll often find me reading, listening to podcasts, or training to learn new approaches, as I feel you can’t be as effective a care provider when you yourself are depleted.
Are there misconceptions about social workers that you’d like to dispel?
People underestimate the holistic & humanistic approach that social workers have in their work. We are trained to examine problems & how they develop from many angles. We place less emphasis on diagnoses, focusing more on the individual in their environment & becoming more empowered & healthy. We are employed in many settings, & our skills can be adapted to diverse workplaces, making this a profession I’m proud to be part of.
Learn more about Cristina
To book an appointment with Cristina or learn more, check out Cristina’s profile with Focus Mental Wellness.
Q&A with Scott Stire
What inspired you to become a social worker?
Mental health difficulties within my own family largely inspired me to become a social worker. My mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia in my childhood years. When I was informed of her diagnosis, very little was explained to me. Out of curiosity and concern, I went to my local library and signed out books to learn about schizophrenia and how it can affect someone.
This led me to take a curious stance when trying to understand and make sense of human problems and human behaviour. The empathy and compassion I had for my mother as she navigated living with schizophrenia trickled into deep empathy, compassion and sensitivity for other people going through mental health difficulties. It then only felt natural for me to go to school and enter into a career in social work with a focus on supporting and helping people in their healing and recovery journeys.
What do you find most rewarding as a social worker?
I find being able to be present for people and hold space for them as they navigate and work through difficulties to be the most rewarding. Human connection and having a safe person you can trust and be vulnerable with is so powerful, meaningful and healing. I find it incredibly fulfilling and rewarding knowing that the clients I work with are able to establish this type of connection with me.
Can you share a memorable experience positively impacting someone’s life?
I provided therapy to a client who was greatly impacted by trauma in their childhood years. It affected nearly all aspects of their life to the point that they were unable to work, they lost interest in most things, they rarely left the home, and they spent nearly all of their time alone and isolated. Their world became very, very small. Over time, as trust was built, this client was able to start talking about their trauma and processing it with me. As they started to heal from their trauma, their world started to open up again. They got out of the house more, started investing in hobbies, joined meet up groups in the community, their relationships with others improved, and eventually they were able to return to work.
Their courage, resilience and perseverance throughout the time we worked together was incredibly admirable and inspiring.
How do you practice self-care while supporting others in Difficult situations?
Maintaining self-awareness while supporting others helps me stay grounded. I maintain body awareness and if I notice any internal disturbance, I intentionally slow my breathing down to become more grounded and present so I can be there for others in the way that they need.
Outside of work, I prioritize taking time to do things that keep me balanced and bring me joy, including exercising, meditating, spending time in nature and with friends and family who are dear to me.
Are there misconceptions about social workers that you’d like to dispel?
We are not all-knowing, nor can we read people’s minds. We are, however, skilled and experienced in supporting and guiding people in overcoming many different challenges and difficulties.
We are not the experts in anyone else’s life. Rather, we value and respect self-determination and as such, we empower individuals to explore options and make decisions aligned with their values and goals.
WELL Cares
A big thank you to all our Social Work Month contributors! We hope you enjoyed their unique perspectives and learned about social work too.
