His teaching includes social work intervention, human rights, trauma informed care, and alcohol and other drug treatment. His professional experience includes work in child welfare, domestic violence intervention, forensic mental health, and substance use disorders. He has held a variety of positions from child protection worker to child welfare program director, and the coordination of two community based, university/public school collaboration violence prevention projects. Professor Syms' current professional interests include the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders, particularly the impact of alcohol and other drugs on people with mental health problems, and those involved with the child welfare system.