DAY IN THE LIFE
“I THINK CHANGE HAPPENS ONE PERSON AT A TIME. IF YOU NEED MY HELP—ONE PERSON, ONE FAMILY— I’M HERE.” This is the mindset Jane Matheson, PhD, RCSW, has applied to her 40-year career in clinical social work. As the recently retired CEO of a children’s mental health centre in Calgary, an adjunct assistant professor with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work and a dedicated volunteer, Matheson has made an incredible impact in our province through her work—and she’s not done yet. The early years Matheson’s story started in 1972. After earning her degree in Psychology from Western University in London, Ontario, she was traveling through Europe and heard about a job opportunity in Germany working for the American army. “I always like to say this was my first small ‘s’, small ‘w’ social work experience. I was there to talk to young men on their way to or coming back from Vietnam. Even though I knew nothing about war or trauma back then, you can imagine how much I learned just by being present.” From there, Matheson went on to get her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. After graduating in 1979, Matheson moved to Calgary for an opportunity with Alberta Mental Health, where she stayed for about five years.
BY SHAWNA DIRKSEN
JANE MATHESON
PHD, RCSW
“I’m outspoken, so I seem to end up a supervisor wherever I go. In my last couple of years at Alberta Mental Health, I realized I was a better manager than a person who was seeing clients everyday.” 35 years of leadership It was a friend and past supervisor of Matheson’s who suggested she apply at Wood’s Homes in 1984. Ultimately, Matheson joined the organization, which provides treatment and support to children, youth and families with mental health needs, as a senior director of residential services. “There was a focus on crisis management. I learned a lot from the previous executive director who was a psychologist, including a great deal about managing a crisis in a calm way, and I’m forever grateful for that.” A few years after starting with Wood’s Homes, Matheson decided to pursue her PhD in social work, specializing
32
WINTER 2020
