Translating Critical Social Work into Clinical Practice: A Pilot Simulation-Based Study from Canada

Focused primarily on addressing racial and social injustices through theoretical and critical analysis, critical social work is a well-established paradigm in Canadian social work education. This pilot study explored how clinical social workers might translate critical social work principles into clinical practice. We used simulation-based research methods to observe social workers' engagement with a Simulated Client (SC; i.e. trained actor). Social workers with at least a Master's degree (n = 8) were recruited from across Canada to conduct a session with the SC via Zoom followed by a post-session interview to reflect on the session. Data were analyzed inductively, using coding methods from Grounded Theory. The following categories emerged as concrete practice skills informed by critical social work: (1) create and hold a space of safety, (2) take an unassuming position while holding theoretical assumptions, (3) peel off the layers of the presenting problems, and (4) take a non-neutral therapeutic stance. Implications for clinical social work practice and further research are discussed.