CULTURAL VULNERABILITY

Mickey Skidmore, AMHSW, ACSW, MACSW

For the past 40 years, engaging in ongoing reflection has been a regular feature of my professional Social Work practice. It has contributed to my evolution both as a professional and as a human being. It has provided unending moments for growth and learning; and it has become a foundational mooring to guide my theoretical knowledge and my emotional maturity as I continue to navigate the amazing complexities of this world. 

During my reflection during the past several months I became aware of an increased sense of anxiety. I was aware of a persistent level of uneasiness within myself. I noted that it was increasingly  difficult for me to return to my place of peace and contentment that I had successfully been able to do regularly on previous occasions. While it has taken several months, I believe I am finally zeroing in on what this is about for me and where it comes from.

Initially, through a series of supervision sessions, I chalked this up to over-thinking and allowing the rise and influence of undo negative thinking over self-imposed concerns regarding my professional productivity. Eventually, by challenging these thoughts, I confirmed there was simply no tangible evidence to warrant these concerns. Nonetheless, there remained a gnawing persistence that I learned over the years not to ignore or dismiss. With a mindful and diligent persistence I rediscovered my life-long professional short-coming of not managing large bureaucratic organisational systems very well. So, after three years of providing contractual clinical services for a large Australian bureaucracy I realised that gnawing unpleasant sensation was in response to increasing “noise” from the higher ups of this organisation as they underwent the shuffling of their bureaucratic reorganisation.

And while this effort seemed to address a large portion of my disharmony, there was still something  that I was struggling to put my finger on. Thankfully, it came to me when I was teaching a practice skills tutorial for forth year students in the WSU Social Work program this semester. 

One of the underlying principles espoused to these students is rooted in the discipline’s professional values and concepts of advocacy and social justice. Specifically, if you seek out and want change (as a Social Worker) you have to be willing to be uncomfortable. Thus, contextually we highlight that studying Social Work will sometimes disturb you. Studying Social Work will sometimes upset you. And studying Social Work with sometimes make you furious (WELF4007).

Moreover, in this program we emphasise the role that vulnerability plays in our efforts to engage clients. Recognising that often our clients are vulnerable when they seek out services, our training emphasises the importance of us also being vulnerable with our clients to defuse the power differential of the relationship; and enhance communication by acknowledgment of how important it is for them to tell their stories — the way they need to be heard. (AVATAR: “I see you”).

Those familiar with Brene Brown’s TED talks will note her observation that (professional) intimacy involves risk taking; a willingness to be known; and being vulnerable. In fact, she concludes that intimacy is being vulnerable. 

In March’s acknowledgement of World Social Work day, AASW President Vittorio Cintio emphasised that amidst the wide ranging diversity of our profession, advocating for social justice underscores what Social Workers do. And while we often associate vulnerability more with client interactions at the micro level; the willingness to take risks and stand up to be known is the vulnerability at the heart of advocacy which brings to bear social change.

In my clinical work, when clients struggle with their efforts to be vulnerable, it often is underscored in fears of “not being good enough” or stressing over what someone may think about them for taking such risks. This often manifests in fear, anxiety, stress and eventually depression.

So what initially came to me is that after 40 years, I was realising that I was growing weary of the energy it took for me to maintain my vulnerability for this long. Further contemplation however, emphasised the past 11 years since I continued my Social Work practice in Australia. Unlike many of my clients, I am quite confident in my own skin. I am not especially troubled with being vulnerable for fear that I am not good enough. During my time in Australia I have persistently been willing to risk being known — exhibiting for all to see my most unapologetic and irreverent self — as it relates to the role of Clinical Social Work practice in Australia. 

Perhaps it is because that I do not play the social media game (and feel the AASW is misguided in its embrace of this approach). Perhaps it is a result of a neoliberal, laissez faire, capital market mentality (let the buyer beware). But my advocacy efforts, or attempts to be known do not seem to have moved the needle much in regard to any significant change regarding Social Work practice (at the macro level) in Australia. The general public as well as other professions remain misinformed by what the Social Work profession is about or what their members do. In fact, too many Social Workers remain unclear about this as well. 

With the exception of SA, the title of Social Worker remains unprotected in the rest of Australia. The consensus in the general public remains that only psychologists provide proper mental health counselling. Hierarchies remain in governmental organisations where AMHSW can manage low level cases; but the complex, difficult presentations must be attended to by a psychologist. With the notable exception of perhaps the DVA, the AASW credentials hold minimal practical value or usefulness — other than via the internet and social media.

Thus, I can only conclude that there is a cultural difference, however nuanced where my confidence, risk taking, and vulnerability, crucial to my advocacy efforts are not well received in Australia. Likewise, I advise my students that if they do what they are trained to do, their actions may not be welcomed either. Despite my confidence being seen as a negative thing, I will remain ever persistent in my efforts to stay true to my core beliefs and values — even if Australia doesn’t appear ready or willing to consider them.

REFERENCES

  1. Turner, George. WELF4007 Course Content.
  2. Brown, Brene. TED Talk: The Power of Vulnerability (2010).
  3. Brown, Brene. Atlas of the Heart. Random House, UK (2021).