Confusion Regarding Future, or The Screwed-Up Social Worker

[The Dancing Chicken]

Ack. I haven't posted on RYL in a long time and now I am back, enjoying the new format. Anyway...
I am at a point in my life where I think I have to do something. Go back to school, get a career, I don't know. I have been taking art classes at a city college and want to be come an art therapist of some sort. Either through a Psy. D. program or a MSW program, I am not sure. But hopefully, in the future, that is what I want to do. And I have been told that many people become LCSWs or psychologists because of their past experiences, history of depression, etc. In fact, all the people of that sort that I know personally are on medication for depression. So that is great. Not to worry. But you can't SEE that a person is on an anti-depressant. My worry is this -- what would happen if I am working with someone, and they see my scars? Does it make me less credible? Would they be freaked out? I mean, I am not going to be showing them off or anything, but what if? And this has really be bothering me lately. Does anyone have experience with this, or know of any resources that could help me out? I try not to worry about other people's perception of me (I wear long sleeves, go swimming, etc), but this would be professional. Arg! And advise?

Thanks!
Carrie

[nowhereman]

I don't know but wanted to wish you luck with it.

[~*forever_broken*~]

Hey chica,
I want to work with the Deaf community as a counselor so I don't cut on my arms because I too worry that it would have an affect on mr credability... However, I mentioned that to my counselor and he suggested that it might actually add more credability... Not sure if that's helpful at all, a little out of it so if it doesn't don't blame me too much.
Good luck and take care.

Alyssa

[The Hierophant]

I don't know.
But this sounds like a step in the right direction.
Good luck with it.
xxx

[The Dancing Chicken]

Thanks for the replies. Alyssa, I want to work with the Deaf community, also... never through about the arms thing. Crap. Oh, well, can't change what is done. Thanks!

[~*forever_broken*~]

Opps...sorry, didn't mean to add to it...was trying to help. :s
*attempts to pry foot out of mouth* uh, a little help please ;)

[Buzby]

Dear Carrie;

Please don't worry about your credibility. I have found that my past experience has had a very positive effect on my work in that I believe I have a greater understanding of other people's distress, and am able to help people more productively and respectively as a result. My communication and relationship skills are stronger then many of my colleagues because I understand the system from both a professional and a service user perspective. If you are thinking of entering into a 'caring' profession, think of your past experiences as an asset.

Saying that, it is not easy. There are lots of complicated issues and dilemmas. Personally, I don't disclose my SH and keep scars well covered up. This is because:

1: I believe I am responsible for the therapeutic relationship with a service user, and would worry about bringing in my issues, which may distract from the needs of the client. I a not saying I have never made limited self disclosures at appropriate times, but I am usually subtle, mainly using empathy and body language to show the person that what they are saying does make sense and is not shameful. In that regard I do think I have the edge as a practitioner over collegues who have not experienced such problems.

2: I definatly do not disclose SH to work colleagues. Unfortunately there is a stigma. Maybe your chosen sector will be different, but within mental health, I believe I would loose credibility in the eyes of colleges, and my fear is any disclosure would undermine all the quiet and informal work I have done within the team promoting ethical and user-led practice. Fresh wounds I suspect would have me sent home on sick leave.

Now this does present another dilemma of course, as by staying silent I may be helping to perpetuate the stigma of both mental illness and SH. So I do have this internal struggle. Also, living a secret life, concerning yourself with covering up all the time, and the constant worry of being found out can be stressful at times. Maybe you will braver then me and get it out in the open at the start of your career and build credibility from there. Also, if I am to be really honest, I am not comfortable disclosing to anyone, inside or out side of work. We are all different people after all.

So to answer your original question. Having scars does not make you less credible working in a 'caring' role. Its probably immaterial at one level, your either a good worker or your not, what's scars got to do with it. On another level, just being able to empathise with understanding probably will make you a better worker.

In regards to credibility as perceived by others. We are not responsible for what other people think, its your choice whether you want to face some inevitable judgement from (ill informed) others, or keep covered up. In regards to disclosing to service users, the professional code of ethics of your chosen career should also guide you.

I hope this is helpful. I was drawn to your question as this has been an internal debate of mine for years. I think my main message is don't let scars determine the work you want to do, and to reassure you that you will not be the only one out there. Good luck and go for it.

[take my hand]

hi,

i work within the youth profession, and would long term like to work with troubled teens who have been thru abuse. been a survivor, mentally ill and with experience of over a decade of self harm and eating disorders i would like to think i know what im talking about when it comes to people who have suffered - that said i dont put that on my CV!

there will always be a dilemma - bcos people will wonder if you are doing this for urself, or bcos u truly want to help others - im not questioning ur motive, just be aware that others will. at the end of the day i think you have to earn respect and trust from the people you work with - having a degree/ similair qualification in counselling/ therpay or psk doesnt make you a caring and good listener who understands and relates to the individuals pain

so like many before you you will have edge bcos you have been there - be careful - disclose to much and you lose respect credabilty, and ultimately your job - disclose to little and your just like everyone esle!!

for the first time i disclosed my illness on a job aplication and i got the job - yes i know there are disability laws but people find excuses to let you go if they dont want to hire a screwed up person - but if people can see that you are truly right for that kind of work then go for it

having hidden it all away i found mself limited by stigma, restrictions prejudice and fear. now im out in the open, but that doesnt mean my scars are all out on parade - you can cover up the arms as you have been doing, or i recently went to the redcross, just bcos of my line of work - it wudnt do my relations any good if i scared all the kids off!!

be sesible, be yourself and believe in what your doing and you will be great

[Merc]

I'd juast like to say, i hope you go for it. It would be a great asset to have more ppl who really know what the situations are like as 'carer's'...How many times have you tried to explain, in your persoanl life (if you have0, how exactly you feel and been met with jargon or a blank look...of ppl who just dont KNOW how it is.
I wish you the very best.
let us klnow ok?
romp

[Buzby]

And regarding your original worries about adversly effecting someone in destress (which I doubt you will if you are reasonably carefull, I never been in that situation , and that's after 15 years in the business), don't forget that by then you will have had training and would have developped the skills and experience to handle it.

The caring profesions need more people like you - peole who care.

[~*forever_broken*~]

Carrie I'm so glad you asked this question, I know personally I've gotten a lot out of this thread.
I've got a question actually (hopefully someone reads it seems that when I post threads tend to stop...it's like a super power 'able to kill a thread with a single post' heh)...
I guess it's kind of already been answered but...does our SI and mental health issues have the potential to keep us from the profession we dream of (be it counseling, SW, whatever)? Just the other day when I was talking to a doc about meds he asked me what I wanted to do with my major and when I told him I wanted to get my masters in MH counseling he gave me a funny look, kind of like he didn't think I could/should do it...

[The Dancing Chicken]

Thank you all for you helpful responses. I really feel more confident about my choice now. I just wish there wasn't such a stigma, but I guess we are the only people who can change that, right? You all have been so wonderful, and I would truly love to hear about your work and your experiences in the field. Thank you!

Carrie

[Buzby]

Alyessa

That funny look was one person's opinion. The only opinion that should count is whether YOU think you can do the job.

I don't know what it is like in the US, but from my experience of the UK system, there is less stigma with depression now days, but as 'Take My Hand' said earlier (above), SI can still raise questions in the minds of some people as to why someone might want to enter into a caring profession.

I supose the fear is 'are they in this for themselves, to make themselves feel better' and 'What if they can't take the emotional strain of the job'.

The reality is of course that EVERYONE who entrers into a caring professions does so (at some level) to meet their own personal needs(otherwise everyone would go for the big bucks), and the stress of the job can affect ANYONE irrespective of their own peronal experiences, if they don't look after themselves sufficiently.

Personally, my experience of distress has left me much more self aware of what stressess me out, so I am much better equipped to manage the demands of my work then I would have otherwise been.

If you take your Masters in Counselling, by the end of it you will have a clearer idea of what the job entails, and whether you really want to do it.

I hope you do.

PS: See, you didn't kill the thread.

[~*forever_broken*~]

:)
Thanks Chris