Tanya Denny - Chrysalis Therapeutic Support Services

Tanya Denny - Chrysalis Therapeutic Support Services Tanya Denny Founder of Chrysalis Therapeutic Support ServicesPosted March 29, 2018, by Jenny Sakr Tanya is an accredited social worker with 25 years of experience in the delivery of client-focused therapeutic services for children, young people and their families. Her professional experience includesClinical Services in Residential OOHC (out of home care), alcohol and other drug treatment, womens services, restoration and GLBTQI services for young people. Read about her highs and lows in the field and how she recently started her own support service.What is your current role and what does it involve?My current roles include CEO and founder of NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) Registered Provider, Chrysalis Therapeutic Support Services, specialising in clinical and therapeutic interventions for children, adults and families living with psychosocial disabilities. Family work, couples therapy peer and group supervision and training.What was your first job and what do you think it taught you?I didnt really know that I was heading to social work but I always fascinated by people, how they think and feel, what their stories were and how they got from there (wherever that was) to here. My first job in welfare was in the 80s as a support worker in a womens refuge in Kings Cross. Here I was exposed to womens incredible stories of courage and survival. I learned all things were not equal, terrible tragic things happen to amazing people and people can lose everything they love and pick themselves back up. Thats when I started to dream bigger for my own life.Tell us mora about starting your own support serviceA few years ago I watched a very good friend and fellow social worker, set up a clinic in Coffs Harbour. She knew what she wanted, worked very hard, used all of her skills to connect to a network of professionals and didnt give up. Today her practice is flourishing.In 2017 a colleague became a registered NDIS provider and suggested I take a look. She was right, NDIS offered me an opportunity to think outside the box about how I could use my skills to start my private practice. I did mounds of research and talked to other social workers, colleagues and friends before taking the plunge. I took a big breath and stepped out on my own. To establish an enterprise like Chrysalis I needed ALL the skills I had learned over the years (crisis intervention case management submission and report writing people management clients services and effective communication). I had a lot of experience in organisational management roles, those skills became indispensable when it came to writing policy and procedures, mission statement, and clarifying what services I could provide. NIDS provider eligibility required Third Party Verification before I was approved to offer services to participants. The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) had some great resources for private practitioners so I started there, read everything I could find on LinkedIn and consulted accountants, and other private practitioners. I didnt realise how much I needed to learn about geschftlicher umgang succession planning, brand development, social media and marketing. Who knew so much work and detail went into building websites and designing business cards. Six months down the track Chrysalis Therapeutic Support Services and I are thriving, together.Name a career highlightI have been very fortunate in my career and have many, many highlights, including great career opportunities and been apart of some wonderful outcomes for children and families but I have to say that visiting Jasper Mountain in Oregon is the top of my list. Training with Dr Dave Zeigler and his clinical team challenged inspired and changed how I work with kids and families.Name a career lowOne organisation I worked for a long time lost its funding. I remember being devastated for the kids we worked with but powerless to change the governments decision.Name something you still dont knowBookkeeping/accounts and all things technical/social media e.g. find out what the heck are AD wordsWhats the most important career tip someone has given you?Critical self-reflection is a skill - learn it.What career advice do you wish someone had given you when you finished high school?Knowledge is powerMake glorious mistakesDo right by othersWhat are some important qualities and skills people should have if they want to be a social worker?Courage, integrity, and tolerance are the qualities that come to mind. Being a social worker requires self-knowledge, communication skills and resilience. Wanting to help people will not be enough and commitment to social justice on its own isnt enough either. Most Social Work degrees are general and titelbild the three areas of knowledge essential for social work practice theories of social work, practical skills, and legal ethical requirements. What area of practice a social worker spe cialises in will also have a set of focussed or targeted skills required, e.g. Mental Health Social Worker accreditation requires additional training.What are the steps you took to become a social worker and what is the standard salary?My professional identity has evolved over decades beginning in the late 80s. As a young woman growing up in Tasmania I wasnt exposed to the ideals of self-determination, gender inequity, class equality and social justice. I left school with a Year 10 certificate and ran away to join the circus. Girls from my side of town werent expected to have careers. It wasnt until I was in my mid 20s that my working life began. My career trajectory is possibly not the typical one for a social worker because I worked in community organisations for a lot of years before attaining Masters of Social Work and had been in management roles for years. My career started at the bottom, I had no real experience but was given a chance and I took the opportunity. I worked ve ry hard, studied and trained, made lots of mistakes, absorbed knowledge from brilliant social work practitioners and took every opportunity to challenge myself. Life experience is a valuable asset in social work but so is social work education. Being skilled and educated opens up different career avenues. There are many different types of social and community services and different levels of qualifications needed. There are a number of roles affiliated with social work for people at Cert IV or Diploma level in Residential Care and Disability Sector. Some Universities also offer a Diploma entry-level pathway into a BA Social Work. I did a Bachelor of Arts (4 years) and a Master of Social Work (2 years). To be accredited qualified Social Workers must be eligible for AASW membership.Whats next for you?Continue developing Chrysalis Therapeutic Support Services.Tell us a fun fact about yourselfI studied at NIDA and hold a Bachelors in Acting and Graduate Diploma in Directing. I took on the title of theatre director for a number of years and directed plays in the Italian language without being able to speak Italian but thats a long fabulous story for another time.Inspired by Tanya to help your community? Start with a course in Community Services or Social Work and get one step closer to making a real difference.Social Work ResourcesSenior social worker sample resumeSenior social worker sample cover letterInterested in becoming a?Community WorkerYouth WorkerResidential Care OfficerAged Care WorkerSocial WorkerPopular Career Searchescommunity services mental health dipcert 3 human servicescert 3 human services onlinecommunity services courses sydneydiploma community services case management onlineSocial Work CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire ansprechbar Enquire OnlineMaster of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)Enquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineGraduate Certificate in Human ServicesEnquire Online Enquire Online Jenny SakrJenny found her way with words while interning during uni, since, shes produced articles on it all from hair and beauty to homewares, travel, career advice and study tips. On a weekend youre most likely to find her lining up for a table at the latest cafe or restaurant.Related ArticlesBrowse moreCareer changeCareer inspoFeeling Lost? Heres How To Find Your PassionConventional wisdom says, Do what you love and the money will follow. But what if you still dont know what you want to be when you grow up? Here are some unique ways to discover your passion and uncover what you really want to do with your life.Charles Sturt University (CSU)Social WorkEco social work where people and environment intersectEco social work involves working with people and communities who are impacted by environmental issues such as extreme weather events. Read more about how the social work sector is changing and the demand for eco social workers is on the rise.Community ServicesCounsellingThe many faces of social workThe field of social work is incredibly broad and diverse, but wonderfully rewarding too. So how do you decide which field of social work is best for you?