The Outdoor Therapy Centre is excited to collaborate with universities to support graduate and undergraduate student internships and workplace learning (WPL). As of June 2024, Dr. Will Dobud and Dr. John Paul Healy from Charles Sturt University's School of Social Work and Arts have begun the process of facilitating social work student placements based on the Australian Association of Social Workers' accreditation requirements.
Outdoor Therapy Placements with CSU
Workplace learning placements and internships with Friends of the Outdoor Therapy Centre suit the needs of students and the community of outdoor therapy providers and academics while meeting CSU and AASW requirements for two 500 hour placements. Dr. Dobud and Dr. Healy will work with each student and their assigned placement academic to develop an exceptional learning plan and workplace learning experience across learning four domains:
Supervisory
Within this domain, students develop critical reflection skills and integrate social work theory and knowledge into outdoor therapy practice in line with professional and ethical guidelines. Students meet their AASW supervision requirements and begin to build their ‘community of practice’ to support them in future outdoor therapy endeavours.
Reflective
Within this domain students supported by Friends of the Centre, outdoor therapy providers, and peers, will develop their emerging professional identity and critical reflection skills.
Research activities
The Outdoor Therapy Centre has a number of ongoing, current research projects. Research activities help students better understand current knowledge base, apply research to practice, reflect on and critique research, and use the available evidence-base to critically reflect on their own and others’ outdoor therapy practice.
Practical/field work experience
Outdoor therapy is an academic and practical field of practice. To develop reasonable independence in students, Friends of the Outdoor Therapy Centre provide opportunities for students to engage with outdoor therapy programs in person, where possible. These experiences highlight and incorporate the processes and function of assessment and client engagement within outdoor therapy contexts. Within this domain, students have an opportunity to develop culturally responsive practice.
Supervisory
Within this domain, students develop critical reflection skills and integrate social work theory and knowledge into outdoor therapy practice in line with professional and ethical guidelines. Students meet their AASW supervision requirements and begin to build their ‘community of practice’ to support them in future outdoor therapy endeavours.
Reflective
Within this domain students supported by Friends of the Centre, outdoor therapy providers, and peers, will develop their emerging professional identity and critical reflection skills.
Research activities
The Outdoor Therapy Centre has a number of ongoing, current research projects. Research activities help students better understand current knowledge base, apply research to practice, reflect on and critique research, and use the available evidence-base to critically reflect on their own and others’ outdoor therapy practice.
Practical/field work experience
Outdoor therapy is an academic and practical field of practice. To develop reasonable independence in students, Friends of the Outdoor Therapy Centre provide opportunities for students to engage with outdoor therapy programs in person, where possible. These experiences highlight and incorporate the processes and function of assessment and client engagement within outdoor therapy contexts. Within this domain, students have an opportunity to develop culturally responsive practice.
Students on Placement
Josh Heins
Social Work Student, Charles Sturt Univeristy
Social Work Student, Charles Sturt Univeristy
