How SI Training Has Influenced My Practice in a Mental Health Setting
By Sensory Integration Education, 15 March 2022
Tina Judson is a Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner within adult inpatient services in the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Care Group in the UK. Tina received the Elizabeth Fairgrieve Award for the Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration Outstanding Student of the Year. Tina shared her reflections about her key learning points, the skills she has acquired since completing SI training and how her practice in mental health has been influenced by her postgraduate training in SI with Sensory Integration Education.
I started my sensory integration (SI) journey late in 2018. I work within a mental health setting, on adult acute wards as an Occupational Therapist. In 2018, SI was not generally considered when assessing/treating service users in this setting.
Tina Judson
Prior to starting my SI training, the service had no trained SI practitioners. I began my journey with very limited awareness and knowledge about sensory integration, particularly its relevance when working with adults in mental health settings.
My first SI module started with a week’s training in Birmingham with face-to-face teaching. This was when I became hooked on the world of SI! The tutors were inspiring and the course content was fascinating. It felt like the ‘penny dropped’ and I was able to see service users from a different perspective. With a greater understanding, I was analysing assessment outcomes in a more in-depth and critical manner. SI Module one was responsible for allowing me to develop a level of respect and understanding of sensory integration theory, along with an in-depth understanding of underpinning neuroscience.
My Confidence Grew
Following the completion of SI Module 1: Foundations and Neuroscience, I was enthusiastic to progress onto SI Module 2: Clinical Reasoning in Sensory Integration: Assessment Application. My learning developed with a sound understanding of complex sensory integration difficulties. I explored SI models and how the different models can help provide a framework when assessing SI difficulties, along with skills within critical appraisal of literature.
My confidence grew along with my networks within the SI community. My learning opened up opportunities and fuelled a passion for self-development and service improvement.
Although COVID-19 Delayed My SI Journey, I Never Lost the Passion
I had my end goal in mind which was to complete SI Module 3: Clinical Reasoning and Practice in Sensory Integration: Intervention, and become a Sensory Integration Practitioner. Unfortunately COVID-19 had other plans for us all. At the time when I was due to start the third module, the NHS was catapulted into the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. Priorities changed at this point as all frontline staff know! It was ‘all hands on deck’. My training was postponed to focus on the COVID-19 response!
Although COVID-19 delayed my SI journey, I never lost the passion and desire to complete my training which I was able to achieve in 2021. A great aspect to the SI training offered by SIE, is that you’re able to complete the training at your pace and spread the modules over an extended period of time or complete them back to back. With a busy home life and a global pandemic this flexibility definitely came in useful.
SI Training Has Had the Biggest Impact on Me As a Clinician
On reflection, the SI training has had the biggest impact on me as a clinician compared with any other training that I’ve completed within my career. It’s shaped my practice and motivated me in many ways.
I have an improved ability to use sound clinical reasoning while applying the Data Driven Decision Making (DDDM) process. I believe that applying this process, enables me to be more evidenced-based in my practice. I feel that the training allowed me to be more critical and reflective. I feel more confident within goal setting and have a refreshed appreciation of its importance, along with the application of outcome measures within my practice.
On reflection, I feel that prior to SI education I had a tendency to jump to conclusions to identify rationales. I now structure my clinical reasoning with sound reflective thinking. I no longer feel I have to jump to the ‘right’ answer immediately, I’m more confident in developing a working hypothesis which I continue to build evidence towards. I have the confidence to modify and change my hypothesis and approaches based on outcomes measures. Overall, I feel a more skilled clinician within my practice.
My approach has changed when planning and delivering intervention. Prior to the training, I anticipated that a therapist would have a clear session plan with structured activities to ensure fidelity was met. This was also influenced by my own practice that tends to be planned with a clear session outline. Following learning elements within SI Module 3 and practical clinical hours, I was able to understand that sessions cannot be tightly structured and planned. I have learnt that fidelity is about the principles applied and opportunities offered, not the specific activities completed. My attitude now follows the principle to have flexibility when approaching intervention sessions with a client-led focus. I have learnt the importance of having a loose plan with various options and alternatives to shape the session around.
Three Years on and My Clinical Practice Is Very Different
Three years on and my clinical practice is very different. I have secured a rewarding identity as an SI practitioner, with exciting opportunities and development ahead of me. The training has enabled me to drive a greater understanding of sensory integration within my service area and within the multidisciplinary team. Service users now have the opportunity to access specialised assessment/interventions during their inpatient hospital admission. The profile and value of sensory integration awareness has grown and the service has secured funding for a multi-sensory space that will provide a therapeutic environment for service users on the acute mental health wards.
I would recommend the SI training to my colleagues, particularly clinicians that are working in atypical settings, to enrich the implementation of SI theory with atypical client groups.
I felt a huge sense of achievement after completing the postgraduate SI Modules 1-3 on the SI Education modular pathway to become a sensory integration practitioner, but even more so to have been presented with the Elizabeth Fairgrieve Award. The last few years have been challenging and very uncertain for all of us, although undertaking my SI training has provided a positive focus and inspired me to continue to move forwards in my career. I’m truly honoured and delighted that my achievements were recognised with this award.
