An exploration of clinical social work in the complex system of the Canadian Armed Forces

This report focuses on the clinical social work skills and knowledge I gained during my Master of Social Work (MSW) practicum at the Warrior Support Centre in Mental Health Services with the 2 Field Ambulance unit at Garrison Petawawa in Petawawa, Ontario. My theoretical frameworks that guided my learning included General Systems Theory, Ecosystems Perspective, and Feminist Theory. My chosen methodology was discourse analysis to deepen my understanding and learning experiences. Literature on the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), military social work, mental health, and stigma in the military informed my construction of knowledge and observations. This report outlines my overall learning goals and objectives in clinical social work practice supporting active military members. My experiences, observations, clinical skill development and subsequent practice implications are explored at length.