Helping people feel seen is a core responsibility of clinical social workers. And yet, it’s also an intangible goal. For one thing, to be seen means different things for different people. One person’s version of recognition might be another person’s nightmare. For another thing, it’s a goal upon which success is dependent on someone else’s subjective experience.
In other words, the social worker can do everything in their power to provide someone on their caseload with visibility, only to fail.
Such is their lot in life—thriving off wins when they can get them, but going into every assignment with the understanding that the people on their caseload are up against the odds.
In this article, we take a look at how clinical social workers do this wonderful and important work.
What Does it Take to Make a Person Feel Seen?
First, what does it take to make someone feel seen? Let’s define seen before we do anything else. In this case, we simply mean helping another person understand that they are not alone in their situation—that other people know and care about what they are experiencing and are willing to hear about it and help in any way that they can.
In some ways, this is the basic job of a clinical social worker. They’re tasked with providing clinical-level support for behaviors that typically involve some psychiatric root cause.
The problem is that there are steps and procedures, and processes involved in any social work case, and none have a measurable benchmark for people being seen.
The goal, noble though it is, is the byproduct of a job well done. It’s accomplished by social workers who not only do what they have to do but also carry themselves with empathy and understanding.
That’s right, we’re getting into mushy-gushy soft skills—through active listening, outward sympathy, and a comforting disposition, clinical social workers enable people on their caseloads to be vulnerable in a safe and productive environment.
For many of the people they work with, this will be the first time that they were able to acknowledge their emotions in such an environment.
Clinical Social Worker Job Description
Clinical social workers lean into the mental health aspect of social work. This can involve a variety of different approaches but generally hinges upon therapeutic methods: talk therapy, treatment plans, coordinated care that can sometimes involve medical doctors.
Part of their job is to assess people on their client list’s mental health. Often, their insights are derived from evidence-based practice—basically, statistically supported treatment methods designed to achieve great long-term results.
But there’s also an aspect of crisis to many of their interactions. Contrary to the services of, say, a psychiatrist, people aren’t usually coming to clinical social workers for basic maintenance purposes. Those who wind up on their client list have probably gotten into some sort of trouble, be it legal, personal, or with addiction.
That’s a heavyweight burden for a clinical social worker to bear—how to help people who really, truly need it.
What Does it Take to Become a Clinical Social Worker?
You’ll first need to get your BSW. That’s a Bachelor’s in Social Work degree. From there, you’re able to go on to graduate school for a LCSW certification (licensed clinical social worker).
The good news is that MSW holders are actually often able to get their Master’s degree relatively quickly in the span of 12 to 18 months in most cases. The bad news is that this option is not offered at every school and is only available to people who have a BSW.
If you’d like to pivot into social work by way of a Master’s degree, you’ll need to commit for the entire caseload, which can involve 2 to 4 years of schooling. From there, you’ll still need to complete a period of supervised clinical experience, but you’ll be doing the work.
Once you pass the ASWB and apply for state licensure, you’re fully on your way. Depending on where you live, there may be regulatory compliance measures that you need to take to stay up to date. But for the most part, the path ahead is simple and linear.
How Much Do Clinical Social Workers Make?
Anyone entering the world of social work understands intuitively that they won’t spend a lot of time browsing at Louis Vuitton.
Nevertheless, you can earn a respectable, stable living in this career path, particularly through enhancements like a master’s degree.
Base pay for social work can begin at as low as $42,000. But, clinical social workers have been known to increase their salary by as much as $100,000. A big range, right? And a lot of things account for the difference in figures. For one thing, your location will play a part. Social workers in areas that have a high cost of living typically make more than those working in smaller communities.
Your experience level will also play a role. Social work salaries are typically not associated with skill. In the world of business, you earn promotions and raises based on what the business can afford to pay you and how serious they are about retaining your work.
In social work, things are different. Compensation is scheduled, which means you’ll pretty much know exactly what your earnings will look like throughout the entirety of your career.
Is Social Work Right for You?
Social workers live in a world of—if not failure, then at least constant frustration. They can do everything right and still watch people in their care struggle immensely. This, unfortunately, is just part of the job.
Here’s the thing—a good social worker makes any situation better. Even when things don’t go the way they could have, you, as a social worker, can be sure that your presence had a positive impact.
If you want to make a true and lasting difference in the lives of others, this is a great career to consider.
Disclaimer: The content on Wellness Derive is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical concerns.
