Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
What They Do: Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
Also Called: Case ManagerClinical Social WorkerClinical TherapistClinicianCounselorLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Mental Health TherapistSocial WorkerTherapist
Resource Details
On The Job
Core: Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
Core: Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
Core: Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
Core: Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
Core: Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
Core: Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
Core: Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
Core: Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
Core: Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
Core: Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes.
