June 11, 2025
Recent Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) graduate Shy Traverse didn’t wait to complete her degree to start making a difference in her community.
During her fourth-year BSW field placement at Brantford General Hospital — the very hospital in which she was born — Traverse introduced clients of an outpatient mental health program to an innovative project that would leave a lasting impact. Combining art therapy with her BSW course learnings, Traverse invited participants to decorate “expression jars” and then fill them with handwritten affirmations they could revisit in difficult moments.
“The outpatient program emphasizes mindfulness and self-talk as important tools in dealing with daily stressors,” says Traverse. “The expression jars are an activity that encourages that kind of reflection, and one they can carry on after they leave the program.”
The forward-thinking initiative earned Traverse a Student Placement Project Award from the BSW field team at Laurier, as well as glowing praise from her hospital placement supervisor, Aimee Graham.
“It’s something that resonated with clients that we wouldn’t necessarily have tried,” says Graham. “With her training in social work, Shy approached the program with a slightly different lens, which was really cool.”
The expression jars even managed to win over several participants who have been resistant to art therapy in the past.
“The way Shy presented the project was so kind and genuine, and she made such an effort to connect with everyone,” says Graham. “It’s something we’re going to continue doing with our clients going forward.”
According to Graham, Traverse’s impact on the hospital’s outpatient mental health program extended far beyond her award-winning project.
“She gave us a lot of really great feedback on making things accessible from a diversity and equity standpoint, which is something she’s very passionate about. She also helped remind us that the work we do is meaningful — not just for the clients we work with, but also for our colleagues.”
Each year, more than 100 third- and fourth-year Laurier Brantford BSW students take part in field placements in the local community. As part of their program requirements, students must complete two field placements of 360 hours apiece to earn their professional designation. Since 2019, Social Work students from the Brantford campus have collectively contributed more than 137,000 hours to local agencies, including the Brantford Public Library, Children’s Aid Society, St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre and Willowbridge Community Services.
BSW field placement coordinator Beatrice Leja says students often cite field placement experiences as a highlight of their undergraduate studies.
“What’s really appealing for students is that they get a chance to try out different places of employment, working with various agencies and populations,” says Leja. “It also gives them the opportunity to put the theory they’ve been learning into practice.”
“The way Shy presented the project was so kind and genuine, and she made such an effort to connect with everyone. It’s something we’re going to continue doing with our clients going forward.”
Aimee Graham, Brantford General Hospital
For Traverse, the hands-on experience was invaluable, broadening her perspective on potential career paths.
“I learned so much about the different roles that come together to deliver an effective outpatient mental health program, from occupational therapists to mental health clinicians,” she says. “I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of such a diverse, multi-disciplinary team — and one that’s really making an impact on people.”
During the upcoming fall term, Traverse takes on her next challenge: a Master of Social Work, as well as a new field placement with the Thames Valley District School Board, where she’ll serve as an attendance counselor and social worker.
“She’s such a passionate future clinician and she’s going to do great things,” says Graham.
Laurier’s BSW field team is recruiting placements for the winter 2026 term. Community organizations interested in hosting students are encouraged to reach out to bswfield@wlu.ca.
