During COVID-19-related closures, the School of Social Work had a two-pronged challenge. Students who were close to graduation needed to earn their required clinical hours. At the same time, other students needed an outlet for the sudden stress the pandemic was causing. To address these dual needs, social work faculty and students worked together to create the Social Work Virtual Clinic. The initiative was so helpful that it is operating still today.
“In the social work profession, we are always looking at areas where we can help people,” says Marie Salimbeni, assistant professor of practice and a Virtual Clinic supervisor. “In this situation, it was seeing how we could help students.”
The virtual sessions, run by advanced master’s-level students, cover several topics in mental health care, including dealing with conflict, parenting during a pandemic, and maintaining sobriety. The sessions also provide master’s social work students the real-world experience of putting together and executing therapy sessions with real clients.
The Virtual Clinic aims to help any UTA student who needs support, including online students who may not be able to travel to campus. The clinic also takes referrals, both from students themselves and faculty members.
“We’re here to provide support, techniques, and ways that students can succeed in class, in their profession, and in life,” Dr. Salimbeni says.
