Running head: Evaluation of practice

Evaluation of Practice
Zenobia Kindle-Davis
Wayne State School of Social Work

Evaluation of practice
Evaluation of Practice
Practice and impact
My field placement is at the SASHA Center on Second Ave. in Detroit, MI. We work with
groups and other organizations helping people heal from sexual assault and rape. As an Intern I
help plan events and co-facilitate groups surrounding sexual assault, rape, and trauma. Aside
from using the middle and termination evaluations, there are a few others ways I know I am
being effective with the groups. There are three groups I co-facilitated: Pathways Academy,
Delta Academy, and our HIPS series. While all of the groups held topics about sexual assault,
self-care, and relationship safety, they contained people in different places of their lives. At
Pathways the women/girls there were young parents aged 16-21. They were a little more open to
the topic but held many victim blaming beliefs that are instilled by society. At the beginning you
would hear comments like, she shouldnt have had that on, and she just wanted money. Over
time, after listening to why they held certain beliefs and giving them examples of how it would
feel if you were in her shoes, they began to understand the very reason why we do this type of
work. They began to adopt beliefs like, its never the victims fault, and placing the blame
where it belongs.
It was difficult and even scary in the beginning because I appear younger than I am to most
young adults/teenagers. I didnt know how they would receive me or even if they would take me
serious. Instead of forcing myself on them or trying to fit in, I let myself be transparent but
professional and they opened up to me. Another way I know I was effective at Pathways is they
began opening up about life experiences and traumatic events that happened to them and people
within their social circle. It would be hard to hear those stories and I am a crier. However, with

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more experience it became easier to keep a professional demeanor and not breakdown as much
inside while hearing those stories.
Delta Academy was a very different experience than Pathways. At Delta, there were
teenagers aged 14-17. In an odd way they seemed more innocent than Pathways. Because there
may be some personal bias, I dont use that term often. None of the young women there were
parents and many of them never had consensual sex. In the first group I was very ineffective
because, the teenagers had no clue why they were in this group and had never really discussed
date rape and sex with someone other than their peers. In time, they began to adjust to the topic,
you would still hear eewws and giggles but you saw a light in them. It became apparent that
they knew more than me and the other interns thought they knew. When speaking and listening
to the students they also began to open up and share personal life experiences of themselves and
loved ones.
I went from feeling disconnected to this group and being an asset. I still doubted my
effectiveness until the last session, we decided to bring poster boards and let them draw or write
what they took from group. I was warmed by the things they were saying while coloring and
writing like I dont want this to end, and this group helped me talk about stuff I was holding
in. After reading the comments and pictures I believed I was truly effective. They learned they
can always say No. They learned that some of the music is a factor in rape culture, among
other things.
The last group that I completed was another intern and I, during our Wednesday night
group. This group is called our HIP series, which is short for Healing Is Possible. This is an
open group that allows people from different walks of life that has questions or arent ready to
commit to a closed group, come to a no judgment zone and learn about sexual assault and self-

Evaluation of practice
care. The sessions are held different from the Pathways and Delta groups, but they hold the same
lesson. I was asked last minute along with the other intern to pick a topic and form a group
session. We ended up talking about domestic violence and sexual assault in relationships because
it was October which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The lead facilitator was proud of a
surprised by the information we provided. I looked up different statistics and crime data
surrounding how many people are raped and sexually assault by their significant other. She used
my information to complete her section of group talking about self-care and what to do if a loved
one is in that predicament. The people who attended that group discussed they learned a lot and
opened up about different beliefs they have regarding people who stay in abusive relationships.
I have learned that you will not always get someone to adopt different beliefs. Some people
will hold on to victim blaming beliefs and stereotypes, like in the case of this group. I believe I
was effective because it helped people feel more comfortable discussing topics like sexual
assault and domestic violence. Sometimes in the social work community, all you can hope for is
to spark conversation. Nothing will change overnight, especially when it comes to beliefs that
people have been holding all or most of their lives. There is information thrown at us from so
many places, that sometimes we dont know where certain beliefs and biases come from. So
when it comes to groups and communities, causing discussion and making topics easier to talk
about is good enough to spark change.
Skills
Through supervision and reflections sparked by different classes I have learned that you
will need a mental tool kit to practice effectively. Its not just what you have learned and
practiced in class, or from trainings that are required of the field placement. For example, I am
very creative. Sometimes being creative helps you become more flexible. I have learned how to

Evaluation of practice
adapt and start off groups when our lead needs to take care of something. When helping to plan
our panel discussion I had to use organizational skills that I learned from being a stock manager
at my former place of employment. You had to keep track of different vendors, keep track of
where you wanted to place them and organize your space accordingly.
Some skills I learned from classes that helped in field placement were, critical thinking,
communication, and self-evaluation. I had to be honest during supervision and other times when
I didnt feel effective or wasnt feeling well mentally. Because I am able to critique myself I am
able to reach out for feedback when I know there is room for growth. It gives me a chance to
improve other skills needed to become a good social worker in the future and a better employee.
I have had to communicate when I felt something wasnt right in a room and when I felt I was
unprepared to handle a situation. For example, there was a time the other interns and I was at our
desk and I received a crisis call. I was not in the proper mindset to handle someone in crisis nor
have a received adequate training (that training was a few months away of course). I had to
remain calm even though I was panicking on the inside, until I was able to signal to my
supervisor I needed her help. In the end I was able to keep her talking until I could smoothly
transition to my supervisor taking the call without making things worse. With discussion, I was
able to tell she was not on her medication, and I was triggered as well. I had to be honest with
myself that I would need more practice before I was able to effectively deescalate a situation
where someone was in crisis, a skill I plan on building on more in the future.
Population and improvement
The population that is served at my field placement is a good fit. When I graduate I dont
want to work in Micro. However, through experience at my placement I have learned that you
will work with someone who has been in traumatic events and unfortunately sexual assault no

Evaluation of practice
matter what you do in life. The topic has always been difficult for me due to personal
experiences and things that have happened within my social circle. However because of the
population I have worked with, I have learned how to network, the intersectionality of sexual
assault and other areas of the human experience, etc. My field placement is small and ran by the
person who started it, which is something I would like to do in my lifetime. While our
personalities clash sometimes, I truly believe that I could not have studied under someone better.
I have learned how to be comfortable with noticing prejudice, or acknowledging my blackness.
I have learned how to stand up for myself more. I also learned how to embrace my creativity, and
use it for the clients healing. Through supervision and simple discussion about groups and
clients I learned that its okay to be human and recognize my biases. I have learned that being at
a nonprofit is not just a competition but a chance to help build a support system for clientsconnecting them to a variety of resources.
I still have to work on controlling my crying however, I learned that I want to help create
change on a large scale. I would have never guessed that I wanted to be a macro social worker.
However, I want help clients on the mezzo/macro level. Even though it is still stressful, due to
things I have to deal with in my past I am not prepared for the stressors of working in a micro
setting. I have learned to be comfortable with that and use it as a basis for growth, not selling
myself short. If I learn to be more confident in myself and decisions I can help clients more. That
is something that comes with practice and dealing with my past.
I also have to work on my written communication skills. I am amazed that I made it this far
at my field place and in the social work program. I have always hated English class and writing
unless it was a creative writing course. One thing that has helped is the heading required of APA
format. I write like the way my thoughts flow, which sometimes is not bad. It was brought to my

Evaluation of practice
attention by my field supervisor that, you have to be very careful what you write and how you
right it because it could affect a client long after you are gone. I try to be more careful and
observant of what I write, but I know thats something I need and will improve on.
Showing my emotions and thoughts on my face is another issue I have to work on.
Sometimes problems that happen outside of placement and group are on my face, or when were
talking about something that has an impact on me I show it. It is very frustrating, but I have to
fine away to hide my thoughts and feelings so that they so not show on my face. I dont know
where to start however, when I interviewed someone at Wayne County SAFE, she said it would
come with time and when something doesnt affect me at all then its time to leave for a while.
Experiences
When ethical issues have come up I have learned to be more comfortable about discussing
them, and standing up for what I believe in. the other Interns and my field supervisor are
generally good about boundaries and other ethical issues, so I havent had many ethical issues
come up. I have learned more about keeping personal beliefs out of a conversation with clients
and other organizations unless it is truly going to help the client(s) being served.
Development from placement
This placement has helped me to understand social work values by being strict about not
forcing beliefs on clients whether it is staff or other clients. There are different ways to deal with
trauma, and no one gives advice or tells someone the best way to deal with things that are
bothering them. We discuss different options without judging and provide a supportive
environment for them to test out different healthy coping skills. Also, confidentiality is very
important. I have learned how to protect a clients information and why its important to not
discuss that client even with other agencies. We also respect self-determination. If they are not

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ready to self-disclose, or leave the environment that is unhealthy we do not force them to. Unless
of course there are children or elderly involved, this has not happened since I have been placed
there.
I have also learned that change can be and must be lead in all areas of social work. You
must be involved in the community and listen to its needs or you will not be supported by the
very people you are trying to help.