VOICES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE
Imagining Life Post-COVID BY TERESA WINFIELD, MSW, RCSW
WITH THE REALITIES of pandemic life taking hold in our communities and homes, we’ve become accustomed to the idea of many new realities. We wear masks to go out into the world. Business meetings take place mostly through virtual formats. Families are adapting to a return to school, virtually or in-person. Therapists have long since decided if their sessions with clients will be in person, virtual or some combination. Each and every person functions under the threat that life could once again change if those pandemic numbers don’t follow the so important downward trend. With the new realities of life all around us, it’s hard to take time to think about what change might be on the horizon. Therapists in private practice are likely formulating hypotheses about this through
each exchange with a client and based on their years of knowledge and expertise with mental health issues. What outcome can one arrive at when clients have additional financial and health stresses on them that are both real and present as well as existential? While some recognize that symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other mental health issues were on the rise well before the emergence of COVID, it is possible that the effects of ongoing stressors could be seen for generations to come. What lies ahead could be that which we make it in this moment, and in each moment we decide to help both ourselves and those around us. If there was ever an opportunity to work a simple bit of care, for ourselves and others, into our daily routines, now is the perfect time. Perhaps doing so will allow us to cultivate the light inside of us that can then spread to those that we work with, live with and come into (socially distanced) contact with.
TERESA WINFIELD is a social worker in private practice with 22 years of experience. She specializes in working with youth who have demonstrated sexually concerning behaviours and the families that care for them.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS
ACSW PRIVATE PRACTICE NETWORKING GROUP This seems a good time to remind social workers with an established private practice how to build connections with colleagues. The Private Practice Networking group is a monthly event for social workers already on the private practice roster who have been in practice for at least two years, and are: •
Looking for meaningful professional connection with colleagues
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Seeking mentorship opportunities
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Interested in promoting their upcoming professional activities.
While the networking group is for those already established in private practice, there are resources for those new to, or thinking of starting a private practice. ACSW members can visit the Canadian Association of Social Worker’s Private Practice Portal. Information on joining ACSW’s Private Practice roster is on the ACSW website. For more information contact Charity Lui at MemberActivitiesLead@acsw.ab.ca.
THE ADVOCATE
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