Tamryn Vanderwoude
Mount Hope,Ontario
Summary
Recent graduate with internship experience in clinical and medical social work, focusing on mental health, addiction, and housing instability. Experience working in school settings supporting children with dual diagnoses, providing social, emotional, behavioral, and educational assistance. Known for empathy, adaptability, and a strong commitment to anti-oppressive practice. Eager to advance knowledge and skills through graduate studies to create meaningful, positive change in the field of social work.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Educational Assistant and Social Support
Bellstone Christian School
01.2025 - Current
- Supported students with special needs by adapting lessons and providing necessary accommodations in collaboration with special education staff.
- Developed strong rapport with students, fostering trust and mutual respect.
- Encouraged social-emotional growth among students by modeling appropriate behavior and guiding conversations around self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision-making.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Assisted in extracurricular activities such as clubs or sports teams, providing additional support for students outside of the classroom setting.
- Maintained safety and security by overseeing students in recess environments.
Social Work Placement Student
St. Josephs Healthcare
09.2024 - 12.2024
- Worked within a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team in the outpatient schizophrenia unit under the support and guidance of an experienced social worker.
- Advocated for client needs with external agencies to secure necessary services and support.
- Maintained detailed case notes, documenting progress towards goals and critical incidents for accurate reporting.
- Developed personalized care plans for enhanced client support, involving stakeholders in collaborative processes.
- Mitigated crisis situations with clients, applying de-escalation techniques effectively.
- Built strong, trust-based relationships with clients, providing empathetic and effective counseling.
- Had opportunities to shadow social workers in other units such as the in patient schizophrenia unit, dual diagnosis unit, forensics unit, and the ACTT team.
Receptionist
Grand River Veterinary Hospital
01.2022 - 12.2024
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records.
- Answered phone promptly and directed incoming calls to correct offices.
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Responded to inquiries from callers seeking information.
- Resolved customer problems and complaints.
- Cultivated positive relationships with clients through professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills.
- facilitated aftercare planning with clients after/during euthanasia appointments.
- Maintained visitor log for entering and leaving facility for security purposes.
Social Work Intern
Ontario Health Clinics
01.2024 - 04.2024
- Attended client psychiatry appointments, coordinated follow-up visits, and managed the clinic’s psychiatry schedule.
- Performed urine dip tests, maintained positive client relations, and escorted patients to exam rooms during pain management and addictions clinics.
- Built rapport with clients and co-facilitated “Social Hour” sessions with fellow students, providing space for open discussions on topics meaningful to participants.
- Visited Winston Court weekly, a rent-geared-to-income residential community, to deliver donations, assist residents with forms, and organize recreational activities and events.
- Gained hands-on experience in the pharmacy by learning about medications, understanding prescription processes, and assisting with prescription counting and scanning.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
Wilfrid Laurier University
Brantford, ON06-2025
Skills
- Active listening and empathy
- Building and maintaining rapport
- Knowledge of mental health and addiction support
- Understanding of trauma-informed care
- Conducting intake assessments
- Anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and inclusive practice
- Awareness of social determinants of health
- Writing case notes and record keeping
- Case management and scheduling
- Behavioral support
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Educational Assistant and Social Support
Bellstone Christian School
01.2025 - Current
Social Work Placement Student
St. Josephs Healthcare
09.2024 - 12.2024
Social Work Intern
Ontario Health Clinics
01.2024 - 04.2024
Receptionist
Grand River Veterinary Hospital
01.2022 - 12.2024
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
Wilfrid Laurier University