Virtual client Experience

SOCIAL WORK

Advocating Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a meeting with a state senator who is responsible for passing laws and setting policies for the state. The meeting is led by a school social worker in a multicultural high school with a support group for LGBTQIA+ youth. The State Assembly has passed a law that will make it illegal for teachers and school employees to discuss issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity. The social worker's goal is to advocate that the senator vote against the bill and explain the work they do, how it impacts students, and what voting yes/no would mean to their students. During the simulation, students will be prompted to use their advocacy and persuasion skills to address the senator's concerns and explain the importance of supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in schools. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to advocate for policies that support marginalized communities, including advocacy, persuasion, and cultural competence. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to individuals and communities in their future social work careers.

Advocating For Troubled Youth

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a case involving Lucas, who has been placed in the Youth Court program after being arrested for "poppy slumping." Officer John Macauley has been assigned by the court to monitor Lucas and ensure that he meets all the terms of Youth Court. However, Macauley is a stickler for the rules and may remand Lucas to the detention facility for missing three days of school, even though he has been doing well in counseling. Macauley is resistant to intervention from social workers. During the simulation, students will be prompted to work with Macauley to develop a plan that addresses Lucas's needs and ensures that he meets the terms of Youth Court while also addressing his academic and counseling needs. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with law enforcement and address the complex needs of youth in the justice system. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to youth in the justice system in their future social work careers.

Anxiety: Rebecca Philips

Virtual Patient
In this simulation activity, learners will participate in a counseling program with Rebecca, who has been experiencing ongoing, low-grade anxiety about people, relationships, deadlines, and her own performance. Rebecca's anxiety stems from her tumultuous childhood, raised by her father after her mother's sudden death and his subsequent addiction to alcohol. The simulation will provide learners with the opportunity to practice counseling skills and techniques to help Rebecca manage her anxiety and develop coping mechanisms to overcome her childhood trauma. Learners will work with Rebecca to identify triggers, develop relaxation techniques, and establish a plan to move forward. This simulation is designed to help learners develop the skills and confidence needed to work with clients facing anxiety and other mental health challenges, including communication, goal-setting, and coping mechanisms. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, learners will be better prepared to provide quality care to clients in their future counseling careers.

Anxiety: Sofia Vasquez

Virtual Patient
In this simulation activity, learners will participate in a counseling program with Sofia, who has been experiencing anxiety in social situations due to her unpredictable and occasionally abusive childhood. Sofia has trouble letting her guard down in relationships and avoids intimacy, finding comfort only in her work. The simulation will provide learners with the opportunity to practice counseling skills and techniques to help Sofia manage her anxiety and develop coping mechanisms to overcome her childhood trauma. Learners will work with Sofia to identify triggers, develop relaxation techniques, and establish a plan to move forward. This simulation is designed to help learners develop the skills and confidence needed to work with clients facing anxiety and other mental health challenges, including communication, goal-setting, and coping mechanisms. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, learners will be better prepared to provide quality care to clients in their future counseling careers.

Asian-American Hate Crime

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a crisis therapy session with Li Mingh, a victim of anti-Asian American hate crimes. Li has been offered short-term crisis therapy by a team at the New York City mayor's office that is investigating the rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans in the city. The students' goal is to assure Li that he is a valuable part of the community and that hate crimes will not be tolerated. During the simulation, students will be prompted to provide emotional support and validation to Li, while also addressing his concerns and fears. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to provide crisis therapy to victims of hate crimes, including active listening, empathy, and validation. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to individuals who have experienced trauma in their future social work careers.

Community Clinic Evaluation

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, healthcare students will participate in an evaluation of client satisfaction for a clinic that provides healthcare in low-income communities, run by Caryl and Theo Duke. The evaluation has been commissioned by the clinic and preliminary findings are overwhelmingly negative, specifically in the areas of ADEI (Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). During the simulation, students will be prompted to assess the negative feedback and develop strategies to improve the clinic's ADEI practices. This simulation is designed to help healthcare students develop the skills and confidence needed to provide quality care to diverse populations, including addressing issues of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to patients in their future healthcare careers.

Community Organizing

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a meeting with Arjun Singh, a local businessman and longtime resident of Jackson Heights, Queens. The students are community social workers employed by ACORN and are tasked with supporting the work being done at a Southeast Asian community center to organize members for collective social action due to the rise in poverty and economic desperation. The students' goal is to convince Singh to attend an "open forum" for Southeast Asian residents to voice their concerns about the extreme levels of income inequality in the neighborhood. During the simulation, students will be prompted to use their communication and persuasion skills to address Singh's concerns and convince him to attend the forum. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to engage with community members and promote collective social action, including active listening, empathy, and persuasion. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to individuals and communities in their future social work careers.

Delivering News to a Minor: Ethan

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will work with Ethan, Leah, and Kevin, who were placed in foster care due to their mother's illness. Ethan has taken on the role of guardian and is overprotective of his siblings. During the simulation, students will be prompted to work with the foster parents and Ethan to address his overprotectiveness and find a solution to keep the siblings together. However, due to the lack of available locations, Ethan will be separated from his siblings. This simulation is designed to help students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with children and families in foster care, including addressing challenging family dynamics, developing intervention plans, and advocating for the best interests of the children. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to families in their future social work careers.

Delivering News to a Minor: Nate

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will work with Nate, who has taken on the role of guardian and is overprotective of his siblings. During the simulation, students will be prompted to work with the foster parents and Nate to address his overprotectiveness and find a solution to keep the siblings together. However, due to the lack of available locations, Nate will be separated from his siblings. This simulation is designed to help students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with children and families in foster care, including addressing challenging family dynamics, developing intervention plans, and advocating for the best interests of the children. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to families in their future social work careers.

Evidence-Based Interventions

Virtual Patient
In this simulation activity, learners will provide ongoing counseling to Mario Martinez, who has been experiencing irritability, aggressiveness, and isolating behaviors, and has been drinking more frequently and in larger quantities than before. Learners will have the opportunity to develop a treatment plan, provide counseling, and monitor Mario's progress over time. They will need to be compassionate in their interaction and ask open-ended questions to understand Mario's needs better. The simulation is designed to help learners develop the skills and confidence needed to work with clients facing mental health challenges, including communication, goal-setting, and coping mechanisms, and to provide ongoing support and care.

Facilitating Group Dynamics

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, students will lead a Self-Esteem small group workshop that meets weekly with six attendees. During the simulation, students will encounter a conflict between group members, including frustration with the group's outcomes, reluctance to engage, and a tendency to rescue others. The simulation is designed to help students develop the skills and confidence needed to facilitate group therapy sessions, including managing conflict, creating a safe space, and supporting group members. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to clients in their future therapy careers.

Family Systems: Cliff Bennett

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, will work with Cliff, who has been battling with alcoholism. His struggle has seeped into and begun to erode nearly every aspect of his life, including his career, his relationship with his wife and children, and his sense of self. The situation has reached a critical point with a recent DUI conviction. During the simulation, students will be prompted to use their counseling skills to address Cliff's substance abuse and help him develop a care plan that addresses his needs. This simulation is designed to help counseling students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with clients facing substance abuse and addiction, including assessment, communication, and care planning. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to clients in their future counseling careers.

Family Systems: Couples Counseling

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, counseling students will participate in a couples counseling session with Cliff and Rhonda Bennett. The couple will share their journey as a couple, revealing the ties that bound them and the forces that are currently driving them apart. The pressures of Cliff's practice troubles and his struggle with alcoholism are creating significant stress, which is deeply affecting their marriage. Rhonda, in her fear of abandonment, responds by showing extreme devotion and love, further intensifying the cycle of codependency. During the simulation, students will be prompted to use their counseling skills to address the couple's communication issues, codependency, and substance abuse. This simulation is designed to help counseling students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with couples facing complex relationship issues, including communication, codependency, and substance abuse. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to couples in their future counseling careers.

Family Systems: Family Counseling

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a case study of the Bennett family, who are in the midst of a crisis due to father Cliff's alcoholism. His recent arrest for drunk driving and court-mandated counseling reveal the severity of his struggle. Rhonda, his wife, is deeply concerned about Cliff's drinking but is also dependent on him, which prevents her from confronting the problem head-on. Their teenage son, Terry, struggles with a stutter that Rhonda encourages him to hide, while Cliff tends to ridicule him for it. Students will be prompted to use their assessment and intervention skills to address the family's needs and develop a care plan that addresses their challenges. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with families facing complex issues, including assessment, communication, and care planning. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to families in their future social work careers.

Family Systems: Rhonda Bennett

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, counseling students will participate in a role-play session with Rhonda, who is intensely dependent on her husband, Cliff, despite his ongoing struggle with alcoholism. Rhonda believes that Cliff has his drinking problem under control and is afraid of upsetting him or making him feel unappreciated. She prefers to maintain the status quo despite the clear signs of a deepening crisis. During the simulation, students will be prompted to use their counseling skills to address Rhonda's codependency and help her develop a healthier sense of self. This simulation is designed to help counseling students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with clients facing codependency and relationship issues, including communication, boundaries, and self-worth. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to clients in their future counseling careers.

Family Systems: Terry Bennett

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a case study of the Bennett family, who are in the midst of a crisis due to father Cliff's alcoholism. His recent arrest for drunk driving and court-mandated counseling reveal the severity of his struggle. Rhonda, his wife, is deeply concerned about Cliff's drinking but is also dependent on him, which prevents her from confronting the problem head-on. Their teenage son, Terry, struggles with a stutter that Rhonda encourages him to hide, while Cliff tends to ridicule him for it. Students will be prompted to use their assessment and intervention skills to address the family's needs and develop a care plan that addresses their challenges. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with families facing complex issues, including assessment, communication, and care planning. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to families in their future social work careers.

Gun Violence Support Group

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will facilitate a support group session for individuals affected by gun violence. The group includes George, Elena, and Chris, who have all lost loved ones to gun violence. During the simulation, students will be prompted to facilitate the discussion and support group activities, providing a safe and supportive environment for group members to share their experiences and emotions. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to facilitate support groups, including active listening, empathy, and creating a safe space for group members. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to individuals affected by gun violence in their future social work careers.

Immigration Assistance

Simulated Client
In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a case involving Christina and Max Pierre, middle-class Haitian immigrants seeking assistance from a social worker at a non-profit agency for undocumented immigrants. The Pierres are trying to reunite with their two children, Analisse and Brigette, who were caught trying to cross the Mexico/United States border with a smuggler and were sent to a detention center, where they were separated. Christina and Max are concerned about their children's safety and feel helpless as immigration is offering no assistance. During the simulation, students will be prompted to work with the Pierres to develop a plan to reunite the family while addressing their legal and emotional needs. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with immigrant families who have experienced trauma and are facing legal challenges, including advocacy, empathy, and cultural competence. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to immigrant families in their future social work careers.

Life Transition: Nina Dowd

Virtual Patient
In this simulation activity, learners will participate in a counseling program with Nina, who is struggling to balance her personal and professional life after adopting her sister's child. The simulation will provide learners with the opportunity to practice counseling skills and techniques to help Nina navigate her life transition. Learners will work with Nina to develop coping mechanisms, set goals, and establish a work-life balance that works for her. This simulation is designed to help learners develop the skills and confidence needed to work with clients facing life transitions, including communication, goal-setting, and coping mechanisms. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, learners will be better prepared to provide quality care to clients in their future counseling careers.

Life Transition: Shondra Evans

Virtual Patient
In this simulation activity, learners will participate in a counseling program with Shondra, who is struggling with a life transition after moving away from her hometown and starting a new life with her partner. The simulation will provide learners with the opportunity to practice counseling skills and techniques to help Shondra navigate her feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Learners will work with Shondra to develop coping mechanisms, set goals, and establish a sense of purpose. This simulation is designed to help learners develop the skills and confidence needed to work with clients facing life transitions, including communication, goal-setting, and coping mechanisms. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, learners will be better prepared to provide quality care to clients in their future counseling careers.