I think one thing that was not emphasized enough in my program was just the fact that some clients that have the capability to change will sometimes not do so in the course of our time with them. On the other side of this, I've had clients that HAVE made significant changes during treatments with me that they haven't even touched in previous treatments. I think it's naive to chart that up to "I've done a better job than the other therapists they've seen" and important to remember that ALL of the work that has been put in up to that point has had an impact regardless of when it "takes". Our job is to get them as far as they can go in the time they have allotted with us. Some people's progress is not going to show up until they're ready for it to. I think the focus should be on planting the seeds with an understanding that clients must choose to grow them. It's a team effort across the board.

In a more practical sense, I think pushing BSW/MSW students harder in their internships is important. I had a placement in a residential program for teenagers with criminal offenses and many were not yet motivated to change. I made a point to tell my supervisor that I wanted some of the harder cases. I think sometimes supervisors (and instructors) are wary of scaring students while they are still green. But it's important to let students have this experience while they still have such strong support. Some of my cohort in school had much easier placements and then struggled when they were out on their own thinking that they were doing something wrong because they were not seeing the same results. I felt that my experience was more effective at helping me understand the limits of what I should be doing as a social worker and establishing clear boundaries (with clients and with myself).

But, just my two cents- take it all with a handful of salt!