Soul Loss and Social Work

As a social work graduate student in my last spring semester, for ever, unless I lose my mind and decide to go for a Ph.D.; I would like to share a little about a paper I found in my research for my Independent Project paper. I will be quoting a bit of this paper in my paper which is on Eco-Spiritual Social Work.
After three years of classes, papers and what not’s, I have amassed opinions, theories, and perspectives, some have been useful, some were a waste of my time and others have been right on, and the difference between what rings true to me and what seems to be bull, is how it feels intuitively, spiritually, mentally and from my heart.
I found a paper by Edward R. Canda, Ph.D. which speaks to me in that ‘ah ha’ way, and answers or at least gives some explanations for some of my frustrations around the professional perspective of social work.
The paper is entitled SPIRITUALLY SENSITIVE SOCIAL WORK: KEY CONCEPTS AND IDEALS and can be found online at: http://cj.bemidji.msus.edu/Journal/.

At times I have been frustrated by where the social work practices as a whole stands as a profession. Our program is a Generalist Practice focus, our education is intended to give us a wide birth of options once we graduate (see last page of this blog for a listing, taken off of HSU’s Social Work website), however what is of primary concern and a singled out means of accomplishment and the determination of our final examination, is how well we can label and diagnosis our clients, using the DSM, treatment being secondary to this diagnosis. The bottom line of the dollar dictates our practice and time is of the essence, short term therapy is the way to go, like drive thur therapy, all of this is for the insurance billing.
Many have chosen to follow the LCSW path after graduation and this training on how to use the DSM for billing will be useful. But what if this is not our path, for me I can label and diagnose but there is more to a client than that label.
Fortunately our program also has an emphasis on rural areas and indigenous peoples both locally and globally which can balance out the indoctrination of social work practice.
In Edward R. Canda’s paper he writes; “social work has largely become disconnected from its spiritual roots. Spirituality involves understanding the interconnectedness of all people; compassionate concern rises from soulful awareness of interconnectedness and the realization that self and others are inseparable (Canda, 1999).

We all know that social work’s roots go deep into religion, and that in the past, the need to help others came from what was rooted in compassion and what some would call a “natural way of life [sic], a birth right” or what others would call, ‘Christian’ values’. Canda points out that, ‘technocracy’ has separated social work from its natural way of helping by attempting to “formalize, systematize and employ natural compassion through large scale social institutions.” He describes the profession of social work as having a collective ‘soul loss,’ and that we are in the midst of reclaiming that loss of traditions of healers and helpers of all cultures evidenced by the renewed interest in spirituality both academically and in research (Canda, 1999).
(Definition of technocracy - a social system in which scientists, engineers, and technicians have high social standing and political power)
The following is Canda’s explanation of why social work lost it’s soul; [sic],”negative reaction to the tendency of some religiously based helpers to impose their own agendas on vulnerable people, through prosyletization and moralistic judgmentalism” . Another reason was religion’s hope that applying science might make up for what eluded religious helping remedies. And finally what I think is the biggest factor contributing to social works ‘soul loss,’ the linkage between social work and government welfare programs and insurance company’s agenda to keep church and state separate, thereby having full control on what was none of insurances’ business. And it has worked for over fifty years up to the last decade (Canda, 1999).
“We have unwittingly allowed ourselves to throw out the baby of spirituality with the bath water of sectarian rivalry (Canda, 1999).” Bringing back that baby of spirituality is and will continue to be difficult, but for me finding papers like this encourage me to believe in the social work practice and to remember its roots in compassion for all people without an agenda of money, power, or success, we work to serve.
Canda, E. R. (1999). Spiritually sensitive social work: Key concepts and ideals. Journal of Social Work
Theory and Practice, 1(1), 1-15. (http://cj.bemidjistate.edu/sw_journal/issue1/contents.html.)

What can I do with this degree?
SOCIAL WORK
AREAS
PUBLIC WELFARE
Administration and Planning
Case Management
Program Evaluation
Policy Setting
Research
EMPLOYERS
Public welfare agencies
Private social service agencies
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Public welfare is designed to provide services and support for poor, disabled, ill, elderly, or juvenile clients.
Volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, battered women homes, literacy programs, or other social service agencies to get experience.
AREAS
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/CORRECTIONS
Counseling/Therapy
Rehabilitation
Probation
Parole
Youth Services
Victim Assistance
EMPLOYERS
Prisons and correctional facilities
Courts
Police departments
Probation offices
Victim services organizations
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Social workers in corrections focus on rehabilitation of clients.
Obtain experience by volunteering at a corrections facility or victims program such as a rape crisis center.
AREAS
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK
Clinical Social Work
Pupil Personnel Services
Student Advocacy
Instruction
EMPLOYERS
Elementary and secondary schools
School districts
Head start centers
Early intervention programs
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
School systems may employ social workers to help students cope with and resolve emotional, developmental, or educational difficulties.
Gain experience with children at daycare centers, camps, or Scouts.
AREAS
CHILD WELFARE
Case Management
Advocacy
Intervention
EMPLOYERS
Public and private child welfare agencies
Adoption agencies
Foster care organizations
Child daycare
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Child welfare social workers strive to ensure the safety and well-being of children through treatment of the whole family.
Volunteer at daycares, child shelters, camps, YMCA, Scouts, or other agencies that aid youth.
AREAS
GERONTOLOGY
Advocacy/Intervention
Counseling
Case Management
Programming
Public Policy
EMPLOYERS
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Senior centers
Assisted living
Hospice
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Gerontology involves working with older adults, healthy or ill, and their families.
Get involved with programs or organizations designed for senior citizens.
AREAS
CLINICAL
Counseling
Therapy
EMPLOYERS
Community mental health centers
Psychiatric hospitals
Residential and day treatment hospitals
Employment assistance programs
Schools
Family service agencies
Private practice
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Clinical social workers are found in a variety of settings that provide therapeutic counseling to clients.
Master of Social Work (MSW) is required.
AREAS
ADMINISTRATION
Management
Policy Development
Planning
EMPLOYERS
Family service agencies
Child welfare departments
Social service agencies
State mental health departments
Employee assistance programs
Probation departments
Public welfare agencies
Public interest groups
Local, state, and federal government
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Administrators are involved with planning, budgeting, public relations, marketing, supervising, operations management, fund raising, and other crucial responsibilities that keep an organization functioning.
Obtain an MSW and gain management experience.
AREAS
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Research
Teaching
EMPLOYERS
Colleges and universities
Research institutes
Local, state and federal government
Advocacy organizations
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Research provides data and statistics important in program implementation and policy development.
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D. usually required.
AREAS
OCCUPATIONAL
Counseling
Education
Wellness Promotion
Employee Assistance
Organizational Development
Human Resources
EMPLOYERS
Businesses
Corporations
Employee assistance programs
Labor unions
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Occupational social workers help employees to be more productive and satisfied.
AREAS
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Case Management
Program Planning and Evaluation
Research
Policy Development
EMPLOYERS
Community residential homes
State and local agencies
Medical facilities
Schools
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Social workers in this area help people with disabilities to adjust and to lead productive lives.
Volunteer at special needs camps, daycares, schools, or hospitals to gain experience.
AREAS
HEALTH CARE
Case Management
Counseling
Program Development
Administration
Research
EMPLOYERS
Hospitals
Community health centers
Outpatient clinics
Public health programs
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
Nursing homes
Group homes
Hospice
Veterans Administration hospitals
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Social workers in health care facilitate medical and emotional treatment of patients.
Choose volunteer settings such as hospitals, the American Red Cross, or AIDS agencies to get experience.
AREAS
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
Program and Community Development
Advocacy
Politics
Education
Planning
EMPLOYERS
Advocacy organizations
Development corporations
Community centers
Local, state, and federal government
Associations
DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
Social workers in this area work with existing organizations to improve conditions for specific groups, enhance quality of living, and involve community members in the political process. Get involved with grassroots causes and community agencies.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) prepares individuals for entry-level direct practice.
Master of Social Work (MSW) is necessary to provide therapy and for advancement to supervisory or administrative positions.
Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D. usually required for positions in teaching, research, and administration. Desirable for some clinical positions and private practice.
Complete a degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Programs include practical field experience.
Most states require licensure, certification, or registration.
The field practicum is used to determine suitability for this profession and to provide exposure to various practice settings and clients.
Candidates should possess empathy for others, an appreciation for diversity, and an interest in social change.
Social workers serve a range of client systems (individuals, families, groups, communities) as they attempt to enhance social functioning.
Social work is unique given its dual focus on the person and the environment.
Note: Much of this information was adapted from Choices: Careers in Social Work by the National Association of Social Workers.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer