| Clinical Social Workers
The nation’s 200,000 Clinical Social Workers provide more mental
healthcare, of more types and in more settings, than any other
profession. Working in both the public and private sectors, including
many non-profit programs, Clinical Social Workers are the mainstay
of the American mental healthcare system.
Clinical Social Workers typically provide bio-psychosocial services,
including diagnosis and clinical treatment (e.g. psychotherapy),
that are reimbursable under health insurance programs and by every
major self-insured company in America. In the public sector, many
agencies, departments, and programs specifically recognize Clinical
Social Workers as direct, autonomous (non-supervised) providers
of mental healthcare and related services.
Recognized with their own title, Clinical Social Worker, and their
own level of licensure (to protect the public) in every state in
the union, Clinical Social Workers are mental healthcare professionals
similar to clinical psychologists. While they are sometimes confused
with other types of Social Worker, Clinical Social Workers are
very different in their services and professional attainments,
which include board-certification signifying competence in clinical
knowledge and skills.
In federal programs, Clinical Social Workers—as distinct from
Social Workers—are specifically named, and their services are described,
in the laws and regulations governing the following:
- Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan
- Military Health Care System, including TRICARE
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
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