AV研究所

What鈥檚 your educational background?

I got my undergraduate degree in geography from Clark University, but I also took a lot of psychology classes. I was mostly focused on studying people in different places all over the world, which was fascinating, because I knew that I wanted to work with kids.

So it was your interest in working with kids that drew you to social work?

Yes. I lifeguarded for years, I worked at a preschool, and I was always drawn to kids who had challenges. In between college and graduate school, I volunteered at a psychiatric hospital and worked with kids with significant trauma.

Where did you work directly before coming to AV研究所 and what was your role there?

I worked at a nonprofit organization that supports youth facing emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. I had a few different roles there. I originally worked as a clinician, doing everything from individual therapy to crisis work. One of the things I liked best was working with so many different professionals鈥攄irect care counselors, special education teachers, state agencies, families, and guardians鈥攁nd being part of a team to help improve the lives of the kids we worked with.

I also did a lot of group therapy and quite a bit of consultation in public schools, providing group supervision for clinicians and guidance counselors. Later on, I took on an administrative role supervising many clinicians and clinical interns, which I really enjoyed doing.

For a while I was the director of the internship program, and in the end we had about 20 clinical interns and 20 undergraduate interns. At that point, I was working primarily with colleges and universities.

What was your experience working with AV研究所SSW students?

They were fantastic in many different ways. We had many students from AV研究所SSW鈥攎ore than 50 percent of our students every year鈥攁nd they clearly had received such a strong education. They were so well prepared, especially when working with clients who鈥檝e had trauma, behavioral challenges, and learning difficulties.

I had the pleasure of doing group supervision with all the students, and it was clear that their insight, listening skills, ability to share what was happening at their agencies, and talent for asking questions was very advanced. As a result of that experience, I got to know people here.

What made you want to take on the challenge of field education?

I think because I鈥檝e done direct work with clients for so long and worked in an agency for a long time, I was ready for a change. Having for a number of years been the director of the internship program, I both thoroughly enjoyed and saw how much of an impact you can make. I really enjoy supporting students as they pursue next steps, helping them figure out what they might want to do and be okay with not knowing the exact path they will take to get there. It was a logical next step for me, from supporting clients to supporting students who are just getting into the field and helping them with that process.

What are your immediate priorities?

The biggest priorities are helping the incoming first-year students and some of the advanced students find placements. Part of that is putting in the time for that first meeting with the incoming first-year students to really get to know them, so you鈥檙e not just placing a student based on their resume, but making as thoughtful a placement as possible.

What about longer-term goals?

I want to continue to learn about AV研究所 in general and the School of Social Work in particular, especially about the beliefs here and the process. I also want to help students understand that the placement is important, but also that they are going to gain so many skills that can be helpful for whatever they might do next.

What separates a meaningful field placement from one that just checks the box?

I think sometimes students feel like, if I鈥檓 doing individual therapy or clinical check-ins, I鈥檓 checking the box. To me, that鈥檚 not a full placement. That is incredibly valuable, but what I like to hear is that they鈥檙e also attending meetings, getting on the phone and finding services. It鈥檚 about going beyond just the internship expectations and understanding why the whole picture is so important.

How do you handle students struggling in their placements?

I use a combination of techniques. First is hearing them out. Then helping them understand what they鈥檙e doing and why it鈥檚 so important. It might be helping them see the skills they鈥檙e learning. It might be encouraging them to talk with their supervisor. If possible, having the student talk with the supervisor first, and if not, having all three of us talk. I think it鈥檚 important to see if you can work through it, because that will happen going forward.

What does a strong partnership with agencies look like?

Regular communication is so important, not just supervision, but checking in on a regular basis. Asking how things are going, what鈥檚 going well. When things are going well, there鈥檚 a thoughtful process at all levels. Agencies put in effort for interns, offering supervision, training, and shadowing. Communication going both ways between AV研究所 and the agency. Everyone sees the value of staying connected.

What do you want students to walk away with from field education?

I think being able to identify how you鈥檝e made progress and helped clients, not just focusing on challenges but what did work. Also being able to identify what you enjoyed, what you liked, what you might want to do again, and what parts weren鈥檛 for you and why.

Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to share?

The AV研究所 School of Social Work is fabulous. I鈥檝e only been here for two months, but I鈥檝e had such a great start. Everyone鈥檚 been so welcoming and genuine, and that鈥檚 so nice when you鈥檙e starting something new and you feel like you鈥檝e taken the right next step.