Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Human Services
Tasks
What tasks do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers perform?
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.
Knowledge
What do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers need to know?
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.
Skills
What skills do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers need?
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.
You might also be interested in…
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
$50,745 Median Yearly Income+14.79% Projected Job GrowthSecondary Special Education Teachers
$63,461 Median Yearly Income+4.05% Projected Job GrowthEducational, Guidance, and Vocational Counselors
$60,092 Median Yearly Income+6.21% Projected Job GrowthMiddle School Teachers
$61,531 Median Yearly Income+3.82% Projected Job GrowthMiddle School Special Education Teachers
$62,925 Median Yearly Income+3.53% Projected Job Growth
Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.