“How do social workers handle the job?”
I am a 21 year old female and the idea of seeing children in horrible situations saddens me. How do social workers handle the job?
3 Answers
This is quite normal. Doing your own therapy and having outlets like exercise, sleep, prayer, meditation etc can really help. Also knowing what types of situations and populations you can treat or not willing to treat is important.
My old professor used to say that in order to take care of others, first you have to take care of yourself. so spending time with my own kids, being the best dad that I can be. Eating, sleeping and exercising help. Talking to a therapist myself helps. utilizing your supervisor to "debrief" after a traumatic encounter. these things all help. it saddens me too, but I use that emotion to fuel myself for the fight to help children. Changing their horrible situation to one of peace and happiness, kinda feels amazing too.
Working with children is not for everybody. I don't see children anymore for the reason you described above. There are many different fields of social work and working with children is just one area. I admire anyone who can work with children in terrible situations. We need people who can handle that kind of work, but it is not for everybody.
