Random Stuff of Me

mysticaltrepidation:

bustedsunlight:

the more I realize WHY Social Workers are better therapists than psychologists and whatever else.

Social Workers code of ethics and training are SO MUCH BROADER. I feel like we see the bigger picture and we don’t focus on a person being disordered as much as we focus on the bigger picture of how their world/environment is impacting them and what they can do to overcome it.

Psychologists are trained to focus on every nuance, and they will point out every thing that’s wrong or that may be contributing to you feeling bad or acting impulsively and just warp it into this terrible thing (ok, i’m being biased and basing this on personal experience).

Social Workers are taught to identify your strengths first, and empower you to use your strengths to help yourself.

I mean, there’s a shitload more behind it that I can’t even get into right now (I’m so tired I literally nodded off in class tonight). All I know is I have seen various psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers in my day and the social workers were BY FAR the best at offering concrete support and empowering me to make positive changes in my life. Psychiatrists only care about how meds are affecting you. Psychologists wanted to label me and diagnose me with the first thing that sprang to mind and then force me to do all the work on my own while I paid them to help me figure out my issues… they literally sat and nodded and asked me how things made me feel. It was some of the most unhelpful bullshit I’ve ever suffered through, and quite frankly they made me feel disempowered and broken when I know that’s not who I am.

So, long story short, if you are seeking therapy - seek out someone who is a SOCIAL WORKER!!! People seem to think that social workers are just people who help foster kids find families and make house calls to check up on at-risk families but social workers do SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. They are trained in addressing diversity, oppression, justice, equality, and mental well-being (among other things). They work in a TON of different settings, from schools to non-profit organizations to hospitals. They work in private practice as psychotherapists or they work in organizations attempting to create social/political change. They are capable of doing a shitload of things to better this country/planet that psychologists and psychiatrists are not educated in. Never underestimate a social worker.

Wow. I want to respond to this, but I dunno if I can. Here goes a try.

I had a social worker for a very long time in NY. The mental health place diagnosed me with schizophrenia, drugged me up, and said it was true *DX* because I was getting better. I was able to do more. I could fall asleep while waiting for the bus.

Yes, I was getting better to everyone else’s eyes. I was being drugged with three different anxiety pills, and three different pain pills. The combination was making me so tired that I didn’t give a fuck about anything else. 

In the meantime, I was being told that my memories, my DID part of me, everything that makes up me, was my schizophrenia, and I was making it all up. 

*sighs* And this was a mental health facility in NY. 

*sighs* I know that this is the exception, but still. Wanted to say my peace.

And I won’t even get into the one that re-abused me as a child. 

I *know* social workers don’t normally do this, but this has been my experience. I’m working on changing my point of view. 

Response to bustedsunlight: Social workers can be awesome, if you’re having a hard time and need a hand to get back on your feet, look at positivity, and get out of a rut.

Everyone gets depressed about something at some point in their life. Everyone gets anxious about things. Everyone needs someone to talk to. Everyone needs information and sound advice about general life situations now and then. This is where social workers are brilliant to turn to for help.

However, if you’re suffering from a chronic mental illness, social workers can unintentionally potentially do more harm than good. They aren’t trained in understanding the indepth problems associated with having a complex full blown chronic mental illness and the intense therapies that some such conditions require.

I’ve come across too many social workers that seem to think they’re qualified in dealing with all mental illness problems, but they aren’t. They’re qualified to provide mental health support, not therapy. There is a difference.

I would personally recommend if someone needs help with something in life, go to a social worker; but if a serious mental illness is suspected, see a doctor for a referal to the best and most suitable help they recommend. A psychologist might not necessarily be the best person, it depends on the exact condition of the individual.

Social workers provide support.

Psychologists provide intense therapy.

Psychiatirists provide medical treatment.

Which one you need depends on your situation.

Going to save lives and play WoW for a while… or catch up on some sleep… either one could end up saving someone in theory. lol

somebodyslapher:

It’s Sunday, and football is on my mind.

So, pardon all the football analogies; I’m trying to impress myself.

If you’re a football fan, you’ll realize one of the most enjoyable/scary aspects of football is the unpredictability of the game. You can never be too sure of that field goal, or the…

Love this.