Mental / Behavioral Health Social Worker
Quick Facts
Median Salary$63,272
Most Common EducationMaster's degree
Projected 10-Year Growth+31.99%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Mental or Behavioral Health Social Worker assesses and treats individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
Core Tasks:
- Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
- Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
- Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
- Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
- Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
- Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
- Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes.
- Refer patient, client, or family to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy.
What to expect as a Mental / Behavioral Health Social Worker
1Earn a Master's degree
78% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Mental / Behavioral Health Social Worker related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
1190 openings for Mental / Behavioral Health Social Workers
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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