Clinical Social Worker

by | Jun 15, 2025 | Professions

Profession Overview

Official Job Title

Clinical social worker

General Job Description

Clinical social workers help people who are going through tough times by talking with them and figuring out what kind of help they need. They meet with clients to understand their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and they provide therapy to help them feel better and solve problems. Whether someone is dealing with a serious illness, addiction, the loss of a loved one, or a mental health issue like anxiety or depression, clinical social workers use proven methods to guide them toward healing and stability.

Licensed?

Yes

Min. education

Masters

Reports to

Clinical Director, Practice Owner, or Program Manager

Advancement

Yes

Salary range

$60k - $135k

Interesting fact

Clinical social workers make up the largest group of professionally trained mental health providers in the United States, delivering more than 60% of all mental health services nationwide.

Job Requirements

Skills and comeptencies

Deep knowledge of mental health, trauma, and recovery, diagnostic and therapeutic skills (e.g., CBT, DBT, EMDR), cultural humility and ethical decision-making, clear communication and documentation, emotional resilience and boundary-setting

Major duties and responsibilities

  • Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for TBI patients and their families

  • Facilitate discharge planning and long-term care arrangements

  • Provide counseling and emotional support around trauma, loss of function, and identity shifts

  • Coordinate services between physicians, therapists, insurers, and community supports

  • Advocate for patient rights and access to public benefits or rehabilitation services

Minor duties and responsibilities

  • Maintain clinical documentation

  • Conduct caregiver support groups

  • Provide referrals to housing, transportation, or home care agencies

  • Participate in team rounds and multidisciplinary case conferences

FUN FACT

Massachusetts LICSWs are permitted to independently diagnose and treat mental health conditions and bill insurance without physician supervision (something not allowed in all states).

Many clinical social workers don’t just work in clinics or hospitals. Tthey also practice in nontraditional settings like disaster relief zones, military bases, schools, and even alongside first responders.

Their flexibility and training allow them to step into crisis situations and provide immediate support, making them one of the few mental health professionals trained to respond directly in the field during emergencies.

Educational requirements

  • Entry-level: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
  • Advancement: Postgraduate certificates or doctoral programs in social work or psychology

Licensure requirements

License name: Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)

Licensure levels:

  • LCSW – Requires an MSW and passing the ASWB Master’s exam; permits independent clinical work under supervision
  • LICSW – Requires LCSW licensure, 3,500 hours of supervised clinical experience (with at least 100 hours under an LICSW supervisor), and passing the ASWB Clinical exam; authorizes fully independent clinical practice.

Licensing body

Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers

References