Did you know March is Social Work Month?
This month, we are recognizing and celebrating the field of social work and the incredibly dedicated individuals who devote themselves to this work each and every day.
Below is a small sample of Compass social workers who opened up about why they chose this field, its challenges, and what empowers them to continue forward.
Social workers, thank you for all that you do for the Compass community and your communities at large.
Vanessa Zapata, LSW, Intake Therapist, Adolescent Program, Oak Brook
How long have you been in social work?
I have been working in the social work field since 2018
Why did you choose social work?
I chose social work because I enjoy getting to know people and their backgrounds, learning their family history to fully understand who they are today, and helping them understand themselves better.
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
The most gratifying part of social work for me is giving people a space to share their struggles without judgment and to feel heard and supported in difficult times.
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
The most challenging part is feeling wishing you could do more to help but learning to value the work you’ve done with each client.
What empowers you to continue in this career?
It empowers me to know that I am making an imprint on each person I interact with, whether big or small.
Jack Moore, LCSW, Associate Director of Training
How long have you been in social work?
10 years.
Why did you choose social work?
Social Work is everywhere in our social, educational, medical, and political lives, at every level, from the individual to the community, to the systems that make up our society. I have a ton of interests and love the idea of learning something new, merging that information with what I already know, and applying that knowledge in finding ways to empower others, communities, and/or systems in their efforts to try different.
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
When an individual, a family, or a team at Compass moves forward towards their own goals and sees that it was their work, efforts, and struggles that got them there, and give themselves credit for the growth they achieved. In short - getting to celebrate others' successes!
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
The "Righting" Complex - I like to think I am a pretty good problem solver. When working with others, it is really hard fighting the urge to solve others' problems and instead take the time to get to know the problem and its impact and guide and support others in finding their own best foot forward in trying different.
What empowers you to continue in this career?
I have the incredible opportunity at Compass to have a hand in seeing patients, other clinicians, and the organization as a whole grow and adapt to changes. Seeing myself and others rise to that challenge each day is an incredible feeling. Even on my most difficult day, I know great work that impacts lives was done.
Raven Rivera, LSW, Group Therapist 1, Adult Program, Virtual
How long have you been in social work?
I've been working as a social worker since October of 2021, so about a year and a half.
Why did you choose social work?
I've always known that I wanted to work in a field where I was helping other people. Knowing that I am helping make a difference in someone's life gives me a lot of satisfaction.
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
The most gratifying part of being a social worker is being able to make a positive difference in someone's life. I also love hearing positive feedback from my patients. It makes the stress worth it.
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
Not internalizing my patient's issues. I care so deeply that it can be hard to "leave" that at work.
What empowers you to continue in this career?
Knowing that I have the ability to make a positive difference in so many people's lives is what keeps me going in this field.
Lauren Fulton, LCSW, Associate Director of OCD & Complex Anxiety, Adult Program, Northbrook
How long have you been in social work?
I started my social work journey in 2017.
Why did you choose social work?
I chose social work as my profession because I’m passionate about helping others. The appeal to social work is that I can help people in a multitude of ways! Advocacy, therapy, public welfare, research, etc. The sky is the limit!
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
The most gratifying part of being a social worker is having a front-row seat to making change happen! It’s amazing to have the flexibility to provide services and reach diverse populations on macro, mezzo, and micro levels.
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
The most challenging part of being a social worker is acknowledging that a lot of good has happened over the past few decades, and there is still so much work to be done in order to make the world a more inclusive, just, and self-reflective society.
What empowers you to continue in this career?
Building connections with patients and being a part of their journeys to wellness empowers me to keep going! Witnessing others work hard to foster change and build awareness is also very empowering!
Gina Rogers, LCSW, CADC, Bilingual Family Therapist, Director of Adult Program, Chicago
How long have you been in social work?
13 years
Why did you choose social work?
As a child, I always had questions about homelessness, lack of resources for families, and inequality. Before I understood what social work was, I knew I wanted to advocate for those in need and provide safe spaces for them to grow and change.
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
Supporting others in their journey to become the best and healthiest versions of themselves.
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
Navigating ethical dilemmas such as confidentiality vs. patient safety/duty to warn. Establishing trust with patients is important. Keeping them and their families safe is also an important duty we hold.
What empowers you to continue in this career?
My love for supporting others during the most challenging times in their life. Helping others identify their strengths and teaching skills to help them cope is a practice that will never get old to me.
Jennifer LoPiccolo, MSW, Group Therapist, Adolescent Program, Oakbrook
How long have you been in social work?
I’ve been in the field for just over a decade!
Why did you choose social work?
I think social work chose me. I initially studied poetry and creative writing during my time in undergrad. While working as a writer in residence in Detroit Public Schools, I grew to understand structural racism in a way that changed my heart and mind forever. The more I learned about how systemic inequities are created by design, the more compelled I was to connect with the people most impacted and build community power.
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
The opportunity to witness the human spirit in its most vulnerable states, in the depths of both grief and joy, and simply walk alongside people as their hearts open and close, sometimes as a guide, sometimes as a mirror, and always as a witness. I believe this is a profound gift.
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
One of the most challenging aspects of being in this field right now, as many social systems are crumbling and being re-imagined, is seeing our country operate from trauma and repeat our wounds. My hope is that people most impacted by social divestments will continue to claim their power. Another way is possible!
What empowers you to continue in this career?
I believe we are spiritual beings with a human experience, which grounds me in my work. I’m deeply inspired by people’s capacities to ultimately turn toward love and healing. I’m motivated by the stories of women that came before us, like Sojourner Truth, Grace Lee Boggs, and many others that took great risks to move toward liberation and equity for all people.
Bracha Wolf, LSW, Associate Primary Therapist, Adolescent OCD & Complex Anxiety Program, Northbrook
How long have you been in social work?
I have been in the field for about three years now.
Why did you choose social work?
I chose this field because I believe in and see the good in every person, and I wanted to help show them the good inside themselves.
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
It is extremely gratifying to watch the shift happen, and the adolescent get the sparkle back in their eyes.
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
Watching people struggle to find and believe in themselves. It’s hard to see people feeling so hopeless and worthless when every person has so much potential.
What empowers you to continue in this career?
Knowing that I have the potential to help even one person empowers me to continue in the field.
Connor Spurgeon, LMSW, Associate Family Therapist, Adolescent Program, Northbrook
How long have you been in social work?
I graduated from my MSW program in the spring of 2020 (that's right, COVID pt. 1) and have been practicing as a social worker ever since.
Why did you choose social work?
I've long had a sense that I wanted to do something in the field of mental health and helping professions, but this instinct has taken on many forms, and I have considered a number of career paths for myself over the years. In the end, it came down to the emphasis on systems and 'person-in-context' thinking that most drew me to social work. Additionally, from a purely functional perspective, I felt that an MSW would offer me the broadest options in terms of pivoting within the mental health field and not feeling like I was cast into only one niche.
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
While not unique to being a social worker, being able to consistently work alongside such competent and formidable colleagues has always been one of my favorite parts of this work.
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
Again, not unique to being a social worker, but facing down 'imposter syndrome' is a constant challenge.
What empowers you to continue in this career?
Even on the hard days, the gratitude of knowing I get to do something that I sincerely care about means so much to me. We do difficult work and don't often get to witness the full impact, but sometimes we do! That also helps.
Rachel Surprenant, LCSW, Primary Clinical Therapist, Young Child Program, Chicago
How long have you been in social work?
I have been a social worker for the past four years, focusing on therapy and behavior management for children and families ages 3-10.
Why did you choose social work?
When starting my career, I wanted to seek a balance between supporting children in their moment of crisis while also advocating for change in the systems around them. This propelled me towards a career in social work where I could provide therapy services, support, and resources to families, consult with schools, and provide psychoeducation across systems to set my clients up for the most success in the short and long term.
What is the most gratifying part of being a social worker?
I find the 'little moments' with my patients and families to be the most rewarding and help motivate me to continue my work, especially on days when it feels overwhelming. A child's success with using a skill, sharing a thoughtful drawing, or showing their unique strengths and humor adds a glimmer to otherwise exhausting days!
What is the most challenging part of being a social worker?
Social work can be most challenging when there are so many systems to navigate, and impactful change feels small or out-of-reach due to powers outside of my clients' control, which is why working on cases with a multi-disciplinary team with levels of expertise in all areas of a client's care is so valuable!
What empowers you to continue in this career?
I continue to feel empowered by my team and by highlighting big and small change in every case we work with.
