Social Work

Social workers help people. They help individuals cope with problems such as inadequate housing, lack of job skills, financial mismanagement, prolonged illness, disability, substance abuse, or unwanted pregnancy. They also work with families that have serious conflicts, including those involving child or spousal abuse. Most social workers specialize in a clinical field. Clinical social workers offer psychotherapy or counseling and a range of services in public agencies, clinics, as well as in private practice. Mental health social workers provide services for persons with mental or emotional problems. These services include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, and training in skills of everyday living. They may also help plan supportive services to ease patients’ return to the community. Medical social workers help patients and their families cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses and handle problems that may stand in the way of recovery. They also advise family caregivers, and help plan for patient needs after discharge by arranging for at-home services. Some work on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate certain kinds of patients such as geriatric or transplant patients.