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There are academic requirements that are necessary for WIC in order to offer consistency to the clients. However, the counselling knowledge that each volunteer brings does vary and may include group work, interviewing skills, crisis line experience, and individual/family counselling. Since it is a team-based approach, a wide range of therapeutic skills can be applied in a professional and supportive environment. Most volunteers want to learn specific Solution-Focused techniques or to expand their current areas of practice. Since The Support Network publishes community resource material, some volunteers are interested in learning more about programs they can offer clients. If you meet the academic requirements, your experience will be addressed on an individual, case-by-case basis.
The actual counselling training is experiential (volunteers observe counselling sessions) and individually paced. Each volunteer decides, in conjunction with the WIC staff, when s/he is ready to start working with clients and will be well-supervised and supported by the WIC staff and co-volunteers. Free, monthly inservices provided by The Support Network offer information on a variety of topics such as hope, loss, addictions, etc. Every month a different topic is covered so volunteers can learn about a variety of issues that may impact the clients seen at WIC. Some inservices are focussed on self-care, since many volunteers are interested in new ideas and applying new knowledge in their own lives as well as when working with clients.
The shifts are usually four hours. Most volunteers schedule themselves twice a month so that they are able to meet with a variety of team members and clients. It is the choice of the volunteers whether they work in the morning (Friday 9-1), afternoon (Monday to Thursday, noon-5) or evening (Monday to Wednesday, 5-8/9). WIC asks for a commitment of 8 hours/month for 12 months (96 hours), but there is flexibility for volunteers who want to discuss different options.
Clients present with a variety of circumstances, including family violence issues, addictions, self-esteem, suicidal ideation, poverty, and mental health concerns. Clients also ask for assistance in making changes, dealing with loss or creating a support system. The WIC counsellors often find team-based interventions helpful when dealing with the client concerns. Also, the support and supervision from other professionals encourages counsellor development.
Each WIC shift has either a staff member or team leader responsible for addressing any concerns by volunteers. These shift leaders are experienced WIC counsellors who will be following established WIC policies and procedures so that volunteers and clients are provided with a safe and ethical counselling environment.
With this no-fee counselling, clients do not book appointments and are seen on a "first-come, first-served" basis. The goal is to assist the client in a way that addresses what is happening for them "now". It is not meant to be on-going counselling. Each session stands alone. There may be specific situations in which clients return for subsequent sessions, although this is not the intent of the service. Clients may ask to return and will be reminded that they may not work with the same counsellor or team the next time. The benefit of this model is to provide the client with a complete session including personal strengths, intervention strategies and feedback so they can begin to make immediate changes in their lives. Since clients "walk in" when they are ready for counselling, they often only want and need one session to begin to address their concerns.
The idea is that instead of focusing only on the clients' problems, the counsellors will also focus on the clients' resources and ideas for their solutions. This is an aspect of empowerment, which leads to a focus on client strengths and solutions that they believe may assist them. Solution-Focused techniques also promote hope and motivation, and a belief that all situations or environments contain resources for individuals to draw upon.
There are now over 32 published research studies in SFBT that have suggested successful outcomes in 65-83% of cases. For example, follow-up studies have asked the clients their opinions, and their responses have seemed quite positive about the SFBT services they received. And clients from the WIC program tell us they appreciate the solution-oriented style of this counselling service.
Although the emphasis in counselling is Solution-Focused, some counsellors are eclectic in their theoretical orientation and incorporate other strategies. For example, a client may benefit from Cognitive-Behavioral techniques or using Narrative therapy (externalizing). The WIC program wants to respond to the needs of the client, and so a responsive clinical style is often used. This also allows for a diverse learning environment for the volunteers. What is consistent is that clients are always presented with personal strengths at the end of their sessions.
The Support Network gratefully acknowledges the past supporters of WIC including The Muttart Foundation, Wild Rose Foundation, Edmonton Community Foundation and an anonymous donor. The current supporters include FCSS (Family & Community Support Services, City of Edmonton) and the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.
The Support Network celebrated its tenth year in 2003, but its origins date back to 1960. In 1997, after a feasibility study was completed, The Support Network received funding for a Walk-In Counselling Program. The program began operations on October 28, 1997, to provide the no-fee counselling services.
The Support Network carries liability insurance coverage for its volunteers. An individual volunteer is covered under this policy while acting under the direction of The Support Network and the activity falls within the scope of their duties to The Support Network.
The Support Network has assisted many provisional psychologists and provisional registered social workers to meet the necessary requirements from their professional college. If you meet the criteria for becoming a WIC volunteer, your requirements will be addressed on an individual, case-by-case basis.
Working with a variety of professionals from social work, psychology, and other disciplines can lead to new ideas about working with clients. Often, the volunteers have attended different educational institutions that promote the sharing of counselling theory and practice.
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