About Us
Critically Infused Social Work (CISW) is a women-led consultancy that provides education and resources for practitioners who are interested in developing a critical, justice-oriented praxis. We use critical theory as the foundation to engage practitioners in a dialogue on systemic oppression and how social services may reinforce or unsettle relations of violence. Our consultancy specializes in critical approaches to both micro and macro social work practices. We offer workshops and trainings on how to apply critical theory to conventional psychotherapeutic modalities. We also offer organizational evaluations and strategies to combat burnout in the social service sector. Our fundamental belief is that collective change is possible when we can collaboratively brainstorm and develop actions and strategies to move toward social justice and liberation in practice.
Why did we make this website?
As MSW candidates at York University, we designed this page as a hands on resource for social workers to learn more about critical social work (CSW). The Critically Infused Social Work website serves as a resource to social workers to learn about and engage with both critical and conventional approaches for developing an infused CSW practice. A unique contribution of this website is that, in addition to descriptions of both critical and conventional social work approaches, it offers suggestions on how to “infuse” conventional approaches with critical social science theories. Ultimately, the website hopes to serve as a resource for social workers who would like to develop an infused CSW praxis.
This website is based on the lectures, readings, and other resources from Dr. Renee Sloos’ course, SOWK 5010: Introduction to Social Work Theories and Critical Practice Skills Part I, at York University. It also highlights some additional sources. Therefore, this website does not provide an exhaustive overview of each topic, but rather presents some points from relevant literature. We suggest you check out our references page under the ‘Start Here’ heading to view recommended readings on critical social work. The ‘Start Here’ page of the website includes a downloadable PDF document of the written content for accessible reading. We also invite you to connect with us (by clicking the ‘Contact Us’ button) if you have any comments, feedback, or questions regarding the website. We believe it is important to offer this line of communication to pursue a collaborative approach to knowledge production.
Who are we?
Hannah Matthews is a white settler, cisgender woman originally from London, Ontario, located on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. She has lived experience with mental illness and is a psychiatric survivor. Hannah holds a MA in Development Studies and has worked in the International Development sector with non-profits in Mexico and El Salvador as well as Canada. She is an MSW graduate from York University and also works for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division.
Teréz Szöke is a white cisgender woman, who grew up in a very Hungarian family and currently lives and works in Treaty 13, Tkaronto. She is an MSW graduate from York University and holds a MA in Geography from the University of Guelph. She is the co-author of Community-Based Public Art and Gentrification in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. She has worked as a community organizer for the past 7 years in Vancouver and Toronto, before returning to school for social work.
Sabrina Sibbald is a biracial settler-scholar currently living in Treaty 3 on land protected under the Dish With One Spoon wampum agreement. She likes reading theory (sometimes), eating chocolate (always), and writing bios (never). She has a MA in Cultural Studies and Critical Theory from McMaster University and recently completed an MSW at York University.
Tara Salehi Varela is a Kurdish-Salvadoran settler-scholar who also resides on Treaty 3 territory protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt covenant. She is an avid reader and hiker, and loves working her way through cookbooks. She holds a BA in Sociology and Diaspora & Transnational Studies from the University of Toronto. She also holds an MSW from York University.