We recently sat down with Mrs. Toby Tannenbaum to ask her a few questions about her experiences in the field of Social Work.
An alumnus of Sara Schenirer / Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Mrs. Tannenbaum works as a Social Worker at Achieve Behavioral Health.
Was there a particular spark that inspired your entry to your field of Social Work? If so, what was it?
I don’t think that there was a particular powerful moment that ignited a spark within me to enter the world of social work. Nor was it the sighting of an advertisement that made me say ah! I should become a social worker. It was somewhat of a pipe dream that was with me since high school never believing that I would be capable of managing the academic challenges.
What challenges have you faced in your role as a social worker and how have you overcome them?
Balancing my personal and professional duties as a mother of young children comes with challenges that require me to focus on prioritizing, setting boundaries, etc that comes along with a great dose of kindness. I continue to learn how to navigate murky waters as my clients and I evolve in the therapeutic process.
Can you describe a successful outcome in your practice that you are particularly proud of?
It is hard to pin-point one particular “success story” because what I find meaningful is the wonderfully deep interpersonal connection with my clients as I am there with them in the journey of healing, growing, and being. But yes, the reunification of families, the stabilization of a client, the gift of awareness, and being there with a client as she faces her final illness among others are moments that I’m most proud of.
How do you stay up-to-date with current trends and developments in the social work field?
Supervision, peer groups, and training help me stay up-to-date with current trends and developments in the social work field. But more importantly, it helps me continue to grow and develop as a social worker and humble provider.
How do you handle ethical dilemmas that may arise in your work with clients?
It can really become tricky. I’m deeply grateful to gain from the support and insight of wonderful supervisors and peers that help guide me when things become complicated. Sometimes it’s easy to see only our own perspective and the influence of others is so vital when it comes to handling ethical dilemmas.
