By Seye Omiyefa, MSW
As a clinician, I’ve had the unique opportunity to practice social work across borders, from Nigeria to Wisconsin, while navigating profound human struggles related to addiction, mental health, trauma, structural inequality, and policy constraints.
During my clinical placement at the Dane County Jail in Wisconsin, I provided trauma-informed care to individuals battling substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and a range of stressors related to incarceration. This experience challenged me, reshaped my understanding of justice, and ignited a passion for advocating for policy reform and community healing. Inside the jail, I saw up close the human cost of policy decisions—a reality that resonates far beyond its walls.
One powerful observation I made is that trauma crosses borders and shows up in many forms, whether in a Wisconsin jail or a community health center in Oyo State, Nigeria. This perspective aligns with what experts like Dr. Jill Levenson have described: the critical need for trauma-informed, culturally competent care in all practice settings. At every level, policy directly affects how care is delivered and can shape, limit, or open the paths available to people seeking help.
I was fortunate to have a supervisor who profoundly supported me as I navigated these complex cases. She provided space for reflection, consultation, and role-play, always emphasizing the importance of preserving each person’s dignity and worth—even within restrictive or punitive settings.
“Seye brings a rare blend of warmth, cultural sensitivity, and clinical intuition to his work,” says my clinical supervisor, Tricia Mooney-Fogarty, MSW, LCSW, Mental Health Director, Dane County Jail. “I’ve witnessed him use trauma-informed principles in real time, such as calmly and respectfully waiting for a distressed client to return to conversation, rather than reacting with urgency or control. His ability to hold space for people with compassion and patience has had a meaningful impact on both our clients and our team.”
Through this work, I learned to manage difficult situations, appreciate the resilience of individuals, and recognize the profound power policy and legislation hold—both to harm and to heal.
For social workers, especially those new to the field or coming from different backgrounds, I want to highlight the immense growth that can come from choosing to work in challenging spaces. Providing services under difficult conditions not only sharpens our advocacy skills but also strengthens our ability to connect with individuals in deep, healing ways. It instills a powerful understanding of human suffering, sharpens our awareness of systemic barriers, and inspires a relentless commitment to fairness, dignity, and compassion for all.
This experience, combined with my background in community health and substance-use prevention, guides me toward a future where I hope to contribute to a more just and compassionate world—through policy work, education, direct service, or international collaboration. My aim is to carry forward these lessons to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities, always honoring their dignity, worth, and capacity to grow, heal, and flourish.
NASW Member Seye Olayinka Omiyefa, MSW, is a Community-Based Clinician at RISE Wisconsin with extensive experience in substance use prevention, community mental health, and policy practice in both Nigeria and the United States. His work focuses on trauma-informed care, strengthening families, and honoring the dignity and worth of all individuals, especially the most vulnerable and underserved.
