Embracing a strength-based philosophy and reflective practice with supervision as a mental health therapist at the Alliance Centre of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario

Abstract

This advanced practicum report will detail my experience training as a Mental Health Therapist at the West Nipissing General Hospital’s The Alliance Centre in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. The 450-hour advanced practicum was completed in the Mental Health Counselling Treatment Program with the direct supervision of Lynn Perreault, program manager and director, and registered psychotherapist. A strength-based philosophy was the key paradigm of influence in my role as a Mental Health Therapist working at The Alliance Centre. My primary goals were to incorporate a strength-based philosophy within all elements of intervention, assessment, and treatment; and to actively submerse myself into the social work practice of supervision. Within this practicum report, research surrounding a strength-based philosophy in mental health treatment and interventions will be reviewed including a comprehensive literature review with peer-reviewed literature surrounding the history of madness, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, brief solution-focused practice and social work supervision will be explored. To conclude, I will summarize how I met my learning goals and discuss how the outcomes of my practicum will influence my work in the future as a mental health therapist. Throughout my time spent at practicum, I was able to build upon my existing research and incorporate strength-based approaches into my everyday work with people. I also experienced reflective practice through the use of bi-weekly supportive supervision with my direct supervisor at The Alliance Centre and focus on my own strengths and resources as a strengths-based enthusiast. Supervision enriched my practicum experience because it was reflective of the strengths-based theoretical underpinning that I wanted to model with the people that I had the opportunity of working with.