[08.01.2016]
I have started to take on more cases on my own at placement.
I discovered that I am experiencing some power issues with my co-workers at the
placement.
On my previous conversations with my supervisor, I
understand that the Diamond and Diamond’s model was one that the service had
adopted where they have separate therapists who will work with the adolescent
and parents separately exclusively. Inputs between the therapists would be
exchanged during case discussions. I did not understand how that decision was
made as I was of the view that systemic family work would ideally bring the
family together at some point in time instead of working with them separately.
When I explored the idea of bringing the child and parents
together at some point in time to one of the practitioners, it was dismissed with the reason that it
was not the intent of the referral and the adolescent was not in favour of it.
I found it quite hard to reconcile and had initiated
discussing the relevant cases with my supervisor during the next supervision. I
think my agenda was really to discuss my difficulties in appreciating the
approach although I am unsure how ready I am to be transparent at this moment.
I noted the close relationship they have among themselves. The power dynamics
between the senior therapists and I, a trainee, come on very strongly here for
me.
On one hand, I am recognising that I am not a totally
ignorant practitioner who has no clinical experiences. I do have with me years
of working with people and have been trained for the first part of the systemic
programme. I do not wish to discount my thoughts about helpful practices. Yet,
at the same time, I am very junior in terms of systemic work among the
practitioners; a trainee in the organisation; a foreigner among them. These
power differentials silenced me. I found it hard to be as open as I will like
to be.
[15.01.16]
I spoke to some colleagues at the college to get some advice. With some encouragement from them, I thought I would share my thoughts with my supervisor which I did during supervision.
It was a relief when my supervisor was able to understand my struggles and thought that they were appropriate. She thought that this could be owing to some personal bereavement that the other professional was going through. That helped to put things into context and I was feeling guilty for jumping into conclusions. Nonetheless, my supervisor was very encouraging and indicated that we should have a case conference with the other colleague.
Thus far, the experiences of working with in-house professionals from multiple disciplines have been an eye-opening experience punctuated with challenging moments. Nonetheless, it has been a very enriching process. Being able to check on my personal bias and finding our common grounds and language have proven to be helpful so far. After all, systemic work calls for us to pay attention to the context and this is currently the context that I am in.
