Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
What is a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers specialize in helping individuals, families, and groups cope with mental health issues and substance use disorders. They provide support and counseling, facilitate access to treatment programs, and assist clients in developing coping strategies to manage their conditions. These professionals may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community health centers, schools, and private practice. They play a crucial role in assessing the needs of clients, creating treatment plans, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care. Their work often involves educating clients and their families about mental health and substance abuse, promoting awareness and understanding, and advocating for resources and services to support recovery and mental wellness.
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.
Technology Skills
-
Electronic mail software
- Email software
- Microsoft Outlook
-
Presentation software
- Information presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
-
Medical software
- Client records software
- Medical condition coding software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Social Work Software ClientTouch
-
Internet browser software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Netscape Navigator
- Web browser software
-
Desktop publishing software
- Adobe PageMaker
- Microsoft Publisher
Tools Used
-
Notebook computers
-
Desktop computers
-
Personal computers
Knowledge
-
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
-
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
-
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
-
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Skills
-
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
-
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
-
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
-
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
-
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Abilities
-
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
-
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
-
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
-
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
-
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
-
Master's degree
-
Bachelor's degree
-
Post-master's certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level
Work Activities
-
Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
-
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
-
Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
-
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Detailed Work Activities
- Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues.
- Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
- Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.
- Maintain client records.
- Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
Work Interests
-
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
-
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$37150.0 - $100090.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.