The New Social Worker Vol. 20, No. 2, Spring 2013 | Page 13

nician B to find another location with an
available computer to complete his paperwork. The worst outcome is that the
client is kept waiting or is seen in a different office with a clinician who is a bit
discombobulated after being displaced
from his or her office. What is the role of
the supervisor in this situation, especially
when it is an ongoing issue? My immediate role is what some of my staff have
jokingly annointed me—a traffic cop who
needs to make sure clients are seen when
and where they are scheduled. Later,
my role is to utilize my understanding
of systems to work with the clinicians to
prevent this from happening again.

Once we get past the basics discussed, it’s time to begin the clinical
work in which we utilize our knowledge
of group dynamics and interpersonal
relationships. How are boundaries set
among the members of the therapy
group? Is progress being made in communication among the members? Are
the members gaining insight into their
own behavior and transferring what is
learned in group to other areas of life?
Clients will not be able to do this work
if they are experiencing anxiety because
they feel a violation of personal space,
what they say is broadcast outside of the

office, they are anxious about the chaos
they walked into because the clinician
and room weren’t ready, they are having
difficulty hearing other group members
or are distracted by what they hear
outside the door. Is the group facilitator
distracted by the last minute changes
needed to begin the group?

Whereas this is an issue for every
clinician, agencies are confronted with
increasing pressure to expand services to
accommodate more diverse needs. Unfortunately, additional funding is often
not provided to meet these demands. In
addition, reimbursement from third party payers and managed care restrictions
come into consideration when developing these needed services. In a perfect
world, we would be providing all necessary services to clients in need. These
services would be provided in agencies
with ample space designed for the work
we do. Since this is not the case, we,
as clinicians, need to look to our own
resources to do the best work we can.
Remain flexible, treating colleagues with
the same respect and consideration you
treat your clients. Utilize the strength of
your professional group. Your colleagues
are a great support and source of information, so remember to develop those

relationships. Remember that each person organizes differently, and we need to
develop working relationships to allow
the safest environment for our clients.

Suggested Reading
Burnside, I., & Schmidt, M. G.. (1994).
Working with Older Adults: Group Process and
Techniques, 3rd ed. Boston: Jones and Bartlett.
Gitterman, A., & Salmon, R. (eds) (2009).
Encyclopedia of Social Work with Groups. New
York: Routledge.
Ludwig, K., & Imberti, P. (2006). On being
bold, valuing process and cultivating collegiality. Social Work with Groups. 29 (2/3), 47-55.
Salmon, R., & Graziano, R. (eds). (2004).
Group Work and Aging: Issues in Practice, Research, & Education. New York: Haworth Press.

Loretta Hartley-Bangs, LCSW, is clinical
supervisor of the NorthShore Long Island
Jewish Health System-Mineola Community
Treatment Center. She also serves as Adjunct
Professor in the Molloy College Department of
Social Work and Gerontology, as well as Adjunct Professor at Long Island University CW
Post Campus Department of Allied Health/
Social Work.

The New Social Worker

Spring 2013

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