I found Ms. Kalimah Johnson’s presentation to the class to be very inspirational on many levels. For purposes of this reflection I would like to focus on two of them including her varied way of practicing social work and her response to my question about managing social work practice that intersects with our personal/private lives and experiences.
Ms. Kalimah has a fascinating story not just because of some of the difficult experiences she has had, but because how it has informed her view of the world and avenue of practice. I think her story if a powerful example of how even difficult and painful experiences can be used as a force for good. Moreover, by sharing and forming relationship with others with similar experiences allows the group a louder and more effective sounding board for social change and justice work. I am strongly encouraged by how Ms. Kalimah has used her past to impact change in her life and community.
Another aspect of Ms. Kalimah’s presentation that was meaningful to me (there are many more than discussed hereJ) was her response to my question about boundary setting with issues and clients that bring up personal experiences and feelings. Ms. Kalimah, an incest victim and survivor has been working with DV victims and survivors of abuse through her non-profit as well as collaboration with other community service providers and stakeholder. I asked how she sets appropriate boundaries with working with populations that have similar experiences and resonate personally. Her response is meaningful and critically important for social workers as they intersect with consumers in the point of need. Ms. Kalimah shared the importance of having self-awareness about the issues and areas of personal vulnerability. Moreover, Ms. Kalimah shared how important her supervision was to discuss ethical problems, transference, etc. Having boundaries are an important step to maintaining professional conduct with clients and avoiding poor decision-making.
A few other aspects worth mentioning include Ms. Kalimah’s poetry and entrepreneurship as they were very informative and inspirational.
Ms. Kalimah has a fascinating story not just because of some of the difficult experiences she has had, but because how it has informed her view of the world and avenue of practice. I think her story if a powerful example of how even difficult and painful experiences can be used as a force for good. Moreover, by sharing and forming relationship with others with similar experiences allows the group a louder and more effective sounding board for social change and justice work. I am strongly encouraged by how Ms. Kalimah has used her past to impact change in her life and community.
Another aspect of Ms. Kalimah’s presentation that was meaningful to me (there are many more than discussed hereJ) was her response to my question about boundary setting with issues and clients that bring up personal experiences and feelings. Ms. Kalimah, an incest victim and survivor has been working with DV victims and survivors of abuse through her non-profit as well as collaboration with other community service providers and stakeholder. I asked how she sets appropriate boundaries with working with populations that have similar experiences and resonate personally. Her response is meaningful and critically important for social workers as they intersect with consumers in the point of need. Ms. Kalimah shared the importance of having self-awareness about the issues and areas of personal vulnerability. Moreover, Ms. Kalimah shared how important her supervision was to discuss ethical problems, transference, etc. Having boundaries are an important step to maintaining professional conduct with clients and avoiding poor decision-making.
A few other aspects worth mentioning include Ms. Kalimah’s poetry and entrepreneurship as they were very informative and inspirational.
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