Welcome – And thank you for taking the time to learn more about the person behind the platform. My name is Cassi and I am a qualified AASW Social Worker, currently working towards my Mental Health Accreditation. I hold a deep commitment to ethical, reflective and person-centred practice. This blog was created as an intentional space to pause, think critically, and speak honestly about social work, not just as a profession, but as a lived experience. The social work field is complex, emotionally demanding, and deeply meaningful, and this platform exists to honour each of those realities.
My academic journey began in 2020, as I embarked on my Bachelor of Psychological Science straight out of high school. During my first year, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which resulted in long periods of lock downs, social distancing and isolation – this was the biggest societal change I had witnessed in my lifetime and WOW did it have an impact. I was able to observe the influence a large-scale, unexpected event could have on groups, communities, and individuals – on a macro, mezzo and micro level if we use social work language!
I absolutely fell in love with mental health and learning about the biological aspect of the brain throughout my undergraduate degree, however felt out of place with the solely biomedical and at times pathologising approach being presented. So, as my graduation came around the corner, I was facing a fork in the road: do I apply for my honours and continue down the path to hopefully gain registration as a psychologist, or do I look at other options which uphold my values in a different way? I found this question incredibly daunting, so who else to talk to but my mother, and thank goodness I did, as she brought up a career I had not really considered before: social work. With that, I decided to research and reflect on what being a social worker would look like, and chose to apply for my Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).
I began progressing through my post-graduate degree in early 2023. This course included 2-years of study, with 2 placements in social work organisations within different scopes totalling 1,000 hours of practical learning. My first placement was in a NDIS funded service which focused on supporting participants to develop workplace skills, complete work experience and move towards employment or volunteering opportunities. Following this, I was able to secure a role at the service – this was a dream for me, as I found the work energising, challenging and meaningful.
My second placement was in a mental health setting where I was able to see clients and support them in therapy sessions, delivering mental health services. However, as I worked through each placement, I found it difficult to find other students or practicing social workers, sharing their experiences online, so in essence I felt a little adrift and unsure if what I was experiencing was normal for others too. Following my placements, I continued working at the NDIS service and as a support worker up until I completed my studies in early 2025.
As I began my journey as a newly graduated social worker, I started researching all the different roles out there and I really struggled to get a true account of what to expect. When I made the decision to become a social worker (working towards mental health accreditation) and set up a my own therapeutic space, I felt lost and overwhelmed. I wanted more information on what I was getting into and what steps I needed to take. The first thing I learned was that much of this work is learning as you go, so I felt it may be helpful to share information to other registered or aspiring social workers to make the journey that little bit easier.
My mission with She Speaks Social Work, is to amplify the voices, experiences and expertise of social workers and students to support professional growth, honest dialogue, and sustainable careers in the industry; with the added perks of practice ideas and resources. Each article has background information, practice approaches and interventions if relevant, a link to an accompanying podcast episode (if relevant), and at times, supporting information for further reading.
Remember however, I am still learning too and my insights, reflections and perspective should not be taken as absolute truth. You should always explore thoughts, ideas and concerns with your supervisor, conduct own research and reflect on what has been shared prior to taking action. I’d love this to be a space for shared ideas and conversation. I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback on anything I share. Your perspective matters here!
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this platform and my journey!
