Forensic Social Work Internship

[jmhschaffer]

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I'm a part-time first year MSW student, and my school field office is beginning to assign placements for next year. My schedule is a bit tough in terms of fitting in 14 hours of fieldwork (extended placement), but I did get a referral to interview with an organization that provides court-mandated therapy and counseling to convicted sex offenders.

I was wondering whether any of my fellow MSW, Psych or MHC students have done an internship in the forensic social work field, or working with clients that have committed crimes that typically evoke a strong emotional response in others. I'm talking about rape, robbery, assault, etc., rather than something harmless like shoplifting.

This is not the field I'd like to work in after graduation, but I attend a generalist school and our first year is supposed to be generalist, whereas the second year placement would focus on our interests. I'm interested in learning about how interns working with these populations manage to stay objective and perform without letting counter-transference and personal bias get in the way. I am up for the challenge, as I think it will be a good learning experience. I just hope to use the time between now and then to prepare myself.

Thanks!

 

[Vasa Lisa]

For me - I would rely on great supervision, consultation, supportive peers, and self-care - and perhaps my own work as a client The farther we get along in our journey as therapists, the less we have the close attention that we get in our early training sites. Take it all in and learn all you can.

All the best!