Contextualizing clinical social work practice was the goal of the 450 practicum hours I completed at Walmsley and Validity Counselling Services. The practicum report starts with an overview of clinical social work practice and provides a detailed history of the practicum agency, services offered, and funding. In the following chapters, I explore and weave myself into the theoretical orientations that ground my practicum practice. Also, there is a salient review of literature necessary to contextualize clinical practice, especially in Northern British Columbia. From the practicum experience, I drew connections between the contextualization of clinical social work practice and key elements such as reflexivity, supervision, and training.
A Master of Social Work practicum at Walmsley and Validity Counselling was completed in support of my desire to advance my general clinical skills and integrate Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) into my personal practice model. This report begins with a placing of self and localization of practice considerations to northern British Columbia. A literature review on DBT is provided as context for reflection on my learning goals, which explore topics of professional drift, private versus non-profit organization models, northern practice considerations, component versus comprehensive DBT practice, and the cultural safety of mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies. The wisdom and skills gained from this experience, particularly the integration of DBT-informed therapy into my personal practice model, are reviewed in chapters on learning outcomes and implications for practice. This practicum resulted in a strong desire to continue to practice emotion and family focused social work in Prince George, British Columbia.
