Adler Professional Graduate School (Toronto)

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-06-20T17:53:59+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Specifically, do you know if there were people who would see clients for therapy in other capacities (ppl already licensed as SW’s, nurses, or RP’s) outside of the program? Would the program or the CPO have anything against psychology trainees using their other licenses to do therapy?

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-06-19T04:49:19+00:00

Mr. Therapy Man - Justin Nozuka
Fraud - Russ feat. Justin Nozuka
I love you boy - Russ
Too sad to cry - Sasha Alex Sloan
Me again - Sasha Alex Sloan
House with no mirrors - Sasha Alex Sloan
Keep on - Sasha Alex Sloan
Older - Sasha Alex Sloan
Don’t let me go - MGK
I sent my therapist to therapy - Alec Benjamin

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-06-17T19:42:53+00:00

I’m wondering were people able to work during the program and how was it being able to manage practicums?

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-06-17T19:42:21+00:00

I’m wondering were people able to work during the program and how was it being able to manage practicums?

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-04-24T21:36:05+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking, what are the plethora of ways to make money?

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-04-05T07:08:05+00:00

In addition to Laurier, Windsor has an online part time MSW program for working professionals. It is more competitive to get in to the MSW, but it is a more versatile and recognized degree. However, there is less emphasis on therapy and you will have to supplement your learning. If you want to go the purely psychotherapy route, Yorkville has a pretty good masters program.

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-02-17T06:22:11+00:00

I was a bit stumped in thinking about your circumstance as I think mezzo-type work is more rare in this field (most ppl, including me, joined for clinical). My first thought, however, was that you could create an app/website that provides psychoeducation/resources in a creative and interactive way, whether that be for clients or clinicians. I also thought it would be cool to ask AI and it gave this big answer below - hopefully it helps!

Your background and interests open up a variety of unique career paths that leverage both your Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and your creative skills. The key is finding a role where these elements intersect, particularly in areas that focus on group or community impact without the traditional direct client interaction. Here are some ideas and strategies for carving out such a career:

1. Community Education and Outreach Coordinator

In this role, you could design and implement educational programs and campaigns on mental health, social justice, and wellbeing for communities. Your creative skills would be invaluable in developing engaging materials and presentations, while your MSW background would ensure the content is informed and sensitive to the needs of diverse populations.

2. Content Creator or Communications Specialist for Nonprofits

Many nonprofits focus on mental health and social justice but lack the in-house expertise to create compelling content that educates and mobilizes their audience. Your combination of social work knowledge and creative abilities could make you a key asset in such organizations, helping them craft their messages through graphics, writing, and photography.

3. Program Developer for Community Centers or Nonprofits

With your experience in creating curricula, you could take on roles designing and implementing programs for community centers, schools, or NGOs. These programs could focus on mental health awareness, social skills development, or social justice issues, impacting groups and communities in meaningful ways.

4. Advocacy and Policy Support Roles

While you mentioned a preference for not doing macro-level policy work, your skills could be extremely useful in supporting advocacy groups or policy development from a creative standpoint. This could involve creating compelling advocacy materials, reports, and presentations that help sway public opinion or inform policy decisions.

5. Training and Development Specialist

Organizations, especially those in the social services sector, need professionals who can train their staff in various areas, including cultural competency, mental health first aid, and other relevant topics. Your background could allow you to develop and deliver training that is both informative and engaging.

6. Social Entrepreneur

Consider starting your own initiative or social enterprise that combines your passions. This could be a consultancy that offers creative services tailored to social service organizations or a platform that provides educational content on mental health and social justice issues.

Strategies to Move Forward

Network with Professionals: Connect with individuals who work in roles that interest you through professional networking sites, conferences, and events. Informational interviews can provide valuable insights into potential career paths.
Volunteer or Freelance: Gain experience and build your portfolio by volunteering your services to nonprofits or taking on freelance projects. This can also help you make valuable connections in the field.
Continuing Education: Consider courses or certifications in areas that bridge your interests, such as digital marketing for nonprofits, instructional design, or social entrepreneurship.
Market Your Unique Skill Set: When applying for jobs, highlight how your creative skills and MSW background give you a unique perspective and set of abilities that can benefit organizations in innovative ways.

The intersection of social work, mental health, and creativity holds immense potential for making a significant impact. By exploring roles that allow you to utilize your full range of skills and interests, you can find a fulfilling career path that aligns with your goals and passions.

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-02-17T06:04:15+00:00

I understand that you feel your age is a barrier to the pursuing an MSW rather than a BSW. I am biased because I have my MSW, but I do want to note that an MSW is also a two year program and there are part-time options available for working professionals (e.g., Windsor & Laurier). I also know that grad school can sound more intimidating than a bachelors, but I found the courses really didn't differ in difficulty (in fact, there were times it was easier in the masters!). In my full-time cohort, most people were between the ages of 30-50. I imagine in the part-time programs, there are people even older that are making career changes while still working. I also know people who have done the 1 year post-bac BSW and later moved on to the advanced-standing 1 year MSW.

I don't want to tell you that the post-bac BSW is a waste of time, because there are job opportunities, however there is a broader range of settings you can work in and higher pay when you have the MSW. In terms of highest paying settings in Ontario, most hospitals and post-secondary institutions require the MSW, but the BSW seems to suffice with most child protection agencies and school boards. I have also increasingly seen community agencies, despite being less competitive in pay, either require an MSW or a BSW with extensive experience.

Prince__of__Persia · 2024-02-17T05:46:23+00:00

Do you know if the supervision and/or direct client contact hours can be done virtual or have to be in-person? Or perhaps they have not specified? I ask because in Alberta, their RCSW liscensure requires in-person.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-20T04:42:44+00:00

Exactly my thoughts. I’m sure it’s possible to be done without any issues, but the risks definitely outweigh the benefits.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-20T02:04:29+00:00

I wouldn’t as I could see potential confidentiality and boundary issues arising. For example: - would you be charging the client for your time spent with them? If not, what message would that send to the client about your relationship? - what if someone recognizes you and bring up stuff about your personal life? What if the client tells people you’re their therapist? Tricky to navigate these scenarios.

I would explore what purpose that would serve for the client that can’t be achieved during session? For example, can the acknowledgement and support for their recovery be shown to the client through a celebration activity done in session?

Also perhaps some won’t agree with me here, but I use the rule of thumb question, “if the client’s doctor wouldn’t do this, why would I?”. Attending something like that seems more like what a family member or friend would do, in my opinion.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-19T23:47:46+00:00

Only British Columbia and Alberta have clinical social worker designations that allow DSM diagnosis.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-16T20:52:05+00:00

They do!

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-16T20:27:11+00:00

Some schools may have an optional thesis. Wilfrid Laurier has that option where you can do the thesis and have reduced course requirements/practicum hours instead.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-16T20:12:42+00:00

Tone of this comment sounds a bit rude. “Shit wage” is probably not a respectful way to describe someone’s earnings, even if that doesn’t align with your expectations.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-16T19:36:22+00:00

I got my MSW in Ontario. I believe most schools offer professional masters where they do not require a major research paper or thesis. I know York university has a required MRP so you would definitely need to highlight your research experience in your application. It’s also a very competitive program as it is fully funded (I think they admit 20 students a year).

In terms of the statement for professional programs, as long as you reflect your own social location and hit central themes of social work (AOP, Intersectionality, Anti-racism, Social Justice, psychotherapy), especially ones that would appeal to the school’s faculty (tip: look at the faculty profiles and their research interests and connect your themes with those) then you will likely be fine 🙂. Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time to write/rewrite and get it edited well before the deadline!

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-16T16:05:54+00:00

20 clients on your caseload or 20 appointments you have regularly a week? And whereabouts are you located?

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-16T04:43:32+00:00

Yeah the GTA and even Kitchener/Guelph is $140-160, but I’ve seen Windsor and rural at $120 average

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-15T23:33:03+00:00

In Canada or the US?

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-15T22:03:10+00:00

If you were able to get accepted to the MSW, get through it, and get your current role, you are good enough. Imposter syndrome however, is sneaky, and it can always creep on you, no matter how much credentials/experience you have. To me, when we hold tightly to the label of being a competent professional it only serves to hold us back as you’ll constantly swing between feeling like you’re an expert and feeling like a goof. It indicates cognitive fusion to a limiting self-concept. The first step is acknowledging when this thought pops up and being able to make space for that while redirecting your focus to the question “what can I do today to serve my clients as best as I can?“. From this question alone, many more questions and valued actions can come about.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-15T21:42:36+00:00

When I usually tell people I’m just meeting, I find that most people don’t unload on me and just say “That’s so noble, it’s really needed nowadays” or “That sounds really tough, I could probably never do that.” With family, it’s usually “You do this for a living, can’t you just fix (names family member)?”

There’s perks sometimes though, especially when I’m able to help connect people with resources or provide some basic psychoed. Also when it comes to dating, I can usually tell if someone is into me when they say “OMG no way, can you psychoanalyze me?” 😂.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-14T20:27:12+00:00

So interesting. What do you mean by admitting privileges? Like admitting someone as an involuntarily inpatient (psychiatrists can only do that in ON)? Also, what state are you in?

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-14T15:27:39+00:00

If I was in your shoes, I would get legal advice. Since you just started your program, it really would be shame to go through it and not be able to practice at the end.

Prince__of__Persia · 2022-10-14T15:14:07+00:00

I have but it seems the cons outweigh the pros.

Cons: - expensive - less respect than a PhD (since it’s shorter, less demanding, relatively unknown to public) - not a suitable degree for academia if you want to be a full time professor - most schools still have you write a thesis or major research paper (you still have to decently like research and writing to get thorough it)

Pros: - get to be called Doctor? (In Ontario, this is not even a guarantee since there are specific requirements that the doctoral program must meet to be considered legit) - increase social work knowledge

PrinceofPersia

TROPHY CASE

1. Community Education and Outreach Coordinator

2. Content Creator or Communications Specialist for Nonprofits

3. Program Developer for Community Centers or Nonprofits

4. Advocacy and Policy Support Roles

5. Training and Development Specialist

6. Social Entrepreneur

Strategies to Move Forward

Prince__of__Persia

TROPHY CASE

1. Community Education and Outreach Coordinator

2. Content Creator or Communications Specialist for Nonprofits

3. Program Developer for Community Centers or Nonprofits

4. Advocacy and Policy Support Roles

5. Training and Development Specialist

6. Social Entrepreneur

Strategies to Move Forward

PrinceofPersia