- Provide individual, group, family, and couples therapy
- Work with clients to develop strategies to change behavior or cope with difficult situations
- Refer clients to other resources or services, such as support groups or other mental health professionals.
- Develop treatment plans with the client, doctors, and other healthcare professionals
- Adjust treatment plans if necessary based on their client’s progress.
Note* Clinical social workers who have not completed two years of supervised work are often called master’s social workers (MSW).
- A Bachelors Degree, earned at an accredited college or university.
- A Master’s degree in social work from a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Note* To help ensure the safe, competent, and ethical practice of social work, social workers obtain licensure. License requirements vary from state to state. For more information please visit the Association of Social Work Boards https://www.aswb.org/licensees/about-licensing-and-regulation/
Licensed Clinical Social Workers must:
- Obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work
- Pass the Association of Social Work Board’s Master Exam
- Complete and document two years of supervised, clinical experience in social work
- Complete LCSW application requirements
Note* Licensure requirements vary from state to state. For more information please visit the Association of Social Work Boards https://www.aswb.org/licensees/about-licensing-and-regulation/
The median annual wage for social workers was $49,470 in May 2018
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work. (2019). Clinical Social Work Described. Retrieved from https://abecsw.org/clinical-social-work/clinical-social-work-described/
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2019). Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
Association of Social Work Boards. (2019). About licensing and regulation. Retrieved from https://www.aswb.org/licensees/about-licensing-and-regulation/
