Quote:
Originally posted by msn4med1975
because if not you are flying by the seat of your pants and while that usually won't mean a thing the one time it is a mistake could be a DIRE mistake.
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I am currently cleaning up "mistakes" from a former co-worker with my clients. He had no advanced degree, (not even a BA). In the MSW program, extensive training is given on how OUR values influence the work with the client, and often can bring harm onto them. He always acted from his "gut" without the knowledge of harmful outcomes. For example, he told a couple with both mental retardation and mental illness and limited functioning ability in the community who wanted to live together that "it was wrong to live together because it was not appropriate in the eyes of God and they should get married instead". He never consulted their residences, psychiatrist, therapist---anyone. They basically ran off and got married and now are living in nothing less than a crack house where they are mentally and physically abused every day, food, money stolen, etc. He also went and hired a private detective to locate the family member of one of my other client's that she hadn't seen in 20 years after she brought this up ONCE in a "session". Again, he didn't consult the treatment team. She has been showing signs of increased depression and her residence didn't know why until I pointed out about this taking place prior to my coming to their program. I guess where I am trying to go with this is that the KNOWLEDGE you gain from any advanced degree program in this field in important. Psychologists and Social Workers are trained completely differently though and often are in battle with each other because of our different schools of thought.