Provide therapeutic counseling, whether in private practice, in schools, health systems, child welfare agencies and other spheres.
Social workers usually have master’s degrees, but sometimes have bachelor’s degrees. Those degrees are granted by colleges and universities with Council of Social Work Education accreditation.
Licensing requirements for social workers vary by state. Clinical social workers are licensed to treat mental, emotional and such behavioral disorders as substance use.
Social workers are part of a mental health workforce that also includes psychologists and psychiatrists — a combined workforce thatfor years — has not been large enough to meet a growing demand for mental health services.