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Mutual Growth: The Transformative Role of Social Work Practicum Students at the I-System Institut

The practicum is an educational process focused on personal and professional growth. This growth has reciprocal benefits not only for the student but also for the agency. This dynamic has been more than evident than at the I-System Institute (ISI). The Institute is growing (check out our 2024 Annual Report here) and a major catalyst for that growth over the last few years has been the practicum students we have had the privilege of working with. Not only have they brought with them existing skillsets and invaluable real-life experience, but an energizing eagerness to learn, serve, and grow in the field. Here are just a few ways our practicum students have impacted our growth. Students have brought ideas for and helped us build new programs such as a program teaching citizens who are on probation Mind-Body Bridging (MBB). They have helped us expand capacity and improve processes for existing programs such as the on-campus Mind-Body Bridging Clinic where we offer free MBB sessions to meet mental health needs for our community. Students have used macro and mezzo skills to help us build relationships across Utah with first responder agencies in order to provide mental health services for those who serve our communities.

I thoroughly enjoyed my practicum at the I-System Institute! I really appreciated the chance to explore a wide range of social work practice—micro, mezzo, and macro—which gave me a well-rounded perspective. The mentorship was truly wonderful, and I always felt supported and encouraged, which helped me grow both personally and professionally. It was great to learn Mind Body Bridging in depth and feel confident and knowledgeable in applying one modality immediately with clients. I'm grateful for the skills I’ve gained and the strong foundation this experience has given me for my future in social work.

-Haylee Parr, MSW, CSW ISI Practicum Student from June 2022-May 2024


As part of my MSW practicum at Utah State University, I was placed at the I-System Institute, where I engaged in one of the most dynamic and rewarding experiences of my graduate journey. What stood out most was the range of social work opportunities - from working with individuals in the Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) clinic using MBB techniques, to mezzo-level group workshops and community outreach. I also had the opportunity to contribute behind the scenes by supporting business planning, program evaluation, and training development.This practicum allowed me to bridge my business background with my clinical training, while collaborating across sectors as diverse as community nonprofits, university programs, and criminal justice partners. Whether working directly with clients or helping shape program strategy, I witnessed the broad reach and relevance of social work - and the impact of Mind-Body Bridging. In 2024 alone, the I-System Institute supported over 3,200 individuals and professionals in learning

Mind-Body Bridging, a simple yet powerful technique that helps people self-regulate, improve focus, and feel more grounded in their daily lives. I look forward to welcoming future practicum students who bring their own experiences to this growing and impactful work.

-Yvonne Marcyes, MSW Student, ISI Practicum Student from September 2024-Current


The I-System Institute aims to provide a rich, creative, and varied educational environment for our practicum students. We help our students develop clinical competencies using MBB, gain real-world experience in areas they are passionate about, and integrate the theoretical knowledge they are learning with practical skills in a guided environment. We are looking forward to increasing the number of students we are taking on in the fall and are eager to see the innovative ways they will continue to help us move forward in our mission to promote well-being through teaching, training, research, and clinical services using the practices of Mind-Body Bridging.

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