I am a clinical social worker. It took years of practice to refer the term as part of my identity. I was afraid that would be all people would know about me if I said “I am a social worker”. I felt there was so much more in my life as a creative person, inspired by friendships, nurtured by my supports. There were so many things I wanted to do and grow to be the person I want to become. Then I realized these were the reasons I chose to become a social worker, so I could continually grow, challenge, make mistakes and still be accepted. Being a social worker is more than a job, something one does 40 hours a week. It is part of our identity; our values, perception, the way we act and react with guiding principles rather than rules and regulations that define what or how we do things.
I have learned over the last few years as the NASW-NM ethics consultant that there are no single answers to life’s dilemmas. This has given me the freedom to be open and available to all ideologies and differences in people. I’m no longer afraid to be the person I am today, knowing that I might learn something new every day that could help me grow as a person and change all the time. My basic philosophy about practicing social work now is that I will seek to learn from every person I meet in my profession, and that I will continue to be challenged and creative in all my endeavors as a professional. I guess it wasn’t so much my seeking a way to identify myself, but rather a way to identify when I feel successful and happy in my life. I like my social work and it’s a part of who I am.
Cynthia Sontag, MSWAC, LISW 