Hello! Can you guys give me a little background of what you do in IOP’s? I know it’s a lot of group work but exactly what kind of activities or therapies you do there?

I’m asking because I might intern in a place like that*

Thanks!

it revolves mostly around medicaid. i do technical support for caregivers for people with developmental disabilities, and help with their payments that come from the state. i know republicans want to slash medicaid, and their ultimate fantasy is to make everyone as miserable and destitute as humanly possible, but practically speaking, i'm not sure how far they're willing to go.

I can't find the answer anywhere online. I have to take the LCSW exam in two days to renew my ASW license. What happens if I fail? How do I still renew it?

Curious to know which company you work for and what your experience has been like? Pros/cons? Can you specify the diagnoses and age ranges that you treat? Do you use your own computer or do they provide one? Full time or part time?

I’d love all the feedback you can give!

My kids’ private school is seeking an LCSW. My ethics brain sounds all the alarms that this is inherently a dual relationship.

If I see all these families at extracurricular sports, birthday parties and play dates then I am an acquaintance or even moving toward friends with some of them.

It’s not like I would tell my child they can’t have play dates or be friends with someone because of my job.

Thoughts? I feel like it’s a No due to the potential and inherent dual relationships.

Hey!

Do you recommend any of these books:

https://a.co/d/2KjM7wO

https://a.co/d/aLq5WjI

https://a.co/d/iDnJzAZ

I am looking to expand my knowledge about social work and was curious if I could get some feedback.

Thanks!

I start taking calls for 998 and my local suicide hotline here in a few hours, and I’m really really nervous about it. I had 2 weeks of training, but I’m just worried about getting stuck and panicking. I’m not super concerned about not “saving” someone, because that’s not what I’m there for and ultimately it’s their choice in the end. I’m mostly just anxious about not being able to communicate with the callers properly and getting stuck and panicking.

Has anyone ever worked/volunteered in this position and how did your first few shifts go?

Thank you so much! :)

How can I generate more RVUs? LMSW here. I do the same job as many of the LCSWs, but generate less RVUs as a lot of codes can only be used by LCSWs. We have the same productivity requirements, but I’m at a disadvantage. If I do an initial assessment, I can only use T1023, which generates 1 RVU... if an LCSW does an initial they can use 90791 and get 3.84 RVUs. How can I get creative ?

I’m still processing how horrible the election turned out and am trying to find ways to channel my frustration into something good so I looked into how to run for city council. It’s not that hard. File some paperwork in July of an election year and collect a few signatures and you’re on the ballot. My district is up for election in 2026.

We could certainly use more social workers in office. Why don’t we all start being the change we want to see and exercise that macro muscle?! 💪

Anyone out there feel that a lack or rather "dwindling" resource pool is causing our field of social workers, and others similar to us to circle the wagons and become more siloed around causes, interests, helping marginalized individuals, and other areas of similar focus? I feel that due to lack of resources and so many interests, that it is becoming more difficult to get assistance and support across interests? What I'm trying to say is unity and unification is becoming less and less visible. Perhaps because of the state of the world and there only being so much money, time, energy, that is just how it is. I just feel that there is more and more niche/subset or areas of focus that it might end up in a competition of resources.

Are there any British social workers here that trained and worked in the UK and emigrated to the states to live and work? Looking for some advice around experiences, the process and opportunities

Many thanks!

Hi All I’m a Social Worker & over 10 years ago I left my position as a Social Worker in NSW Health. I loved my job, I liked my colleagues & we weren’t overworked, we had time to do through work & have some preparation time between clients. I’m wondering if this is still the case? I’m wanting to apply for Counselling/Social Worker jobs but don’t want to be overworked which leads to burnout. I’d appreciate your opinions etc. thanks

The intention of a weekly discussion thread is to create a space for members to post anything; it's a place to post things that you want to say but you do not feel it deserves its own thread or you either don't want to make a whole thread out of it. This can mean little celebrations, rants, sharing news articles, shout outs to other members, pointless thoughts, memes, etc.

How is your schedule like as a medical social work for home health? Is hospice home health different than a regular home health social worker?

Do you get paid per client, hour, or salary? How many people do you typically see in a day? What does your typical day consist of? Pros and cons?

Hello! Student intern social worker here

I’m after an accessible app for one of my clients to use - they have an intellectual disability so something that can have images incorporated and be collaborative between them and their team would be fabulous. Alternatively a clock face for an Apple Watch that blocks out time after it has passed with clear numbers.

I hope that makes sense! 😅

Cheers team

Title says all!

Yesterday was my last day evaluating suicidal and homicidal people for a local and large hospital system (in person). Now, I will be doing very similar work for the same company -- same union so I get to keep my seniority, same benefits, pension, etc. And, same pay! I do believe in pay transparency, as such, my base pay is $120k.

I'm actually going to miss (some of) my coworkers. And, it's wild timing given the state of the world this week. I'm nonbinary, AFAB and gay -- I definitely feel safer being home (for reasons that are a whole different post).

Anyway, I don't have anyone in "real life" really to share it with so lovely strangers of the Internet... it's a tiny fraction of happiness for myself and my family this week

--

I'm an independently licensed social work based in the USA

Hello!

I have long wanted to becoming a licensing supervisor and while I have obtained almost all of the needed CEUs to attest as a supervisor, I have waited to finish.

I have a lot of friends who do clinical licensure supervision but I have struggled to find things specific to macro or non-direct service work for licensure supervision (not within the job setting). My state does license non-clinical social workers.

I would love to know if anyone has any resources, tips, exercises, etc specific to licensure supervision to people who are not doing direct service provision?

I am SO frustrated. I am trying to gain reciprocity in WI from another state with my clinical license. They informed that I don’t appear to meet the state requirements (accredited program with clinical supervision ✅, 3000 post graduate clinical hours by an approved supervisor ✅, passed the ASWB exam ✅). The only thing I didn’t do is pay the application fee to apply to the state directly (although I did pay the $180 fees for reciprocity). I had so many issues with the state I originally was licensed in too - took SO long and they didn’t inform me that I needed to be finger printed. I am so sick of this money hungry bureaucracy that I joined just because I wanted to help people… and every time I talk to someone on the phone it feels like I’m just constantly transferred until I’m either told band aid information or misinformation. I apologize for the rant, I am just so so tired

I’m getting ready to take my exam and I pushed my test out an extra week but I took the official practice exam and I did very well. I needed 101 and received 114. It felt harder than expected and I didn’t expect to pass but still felt pretty confident in my answers. All the answers I got wrong were the other answers I narrowed it down to originally. Did anyone else feel like the test was harder than the actual exam?

Any social workers work for the government in a job series other than 0185? I am a current fed and have been with the VA for just over a year. My partner has a job opportunity in a metro area in another state. I really don't want to leave fed employment, but with the VA's hiring freeze there are no social work jobs in the area we want to move to. Wondering what roles outside of the 0185 job series might be a good fit for a social worker?

So not sure who all has heard of the blue bracelet movement. Essentially it is a way for women who look republican (white women) to show they voted for Kamala and are a “safe person.” I’ve seen mixed viewpoints. POC are saying it’s an empty gesture and a way for white women to feel better about themselves without actually being actively political.

I agree with this, however I think it also may be a good way for people who have not formerly been active to identify other likeminded people and open the conversation about advocacy and being active in politics. I have some friends outside the realm of social work who don’t always have the time or capability to be in the community but want to make a difference, they just do it over social media or through another avenue. I feel the blue bracelets could be good for them.

Basically I want other people’s opinions. At the end of the day, I am white. My work makes me actively political, but a lot of my white friends aren’t. What are your alls thoughts on the blue bracelet movement?

Edit: ngl I don’t expect this to get any engagement and I appreciate everyone taking the time to comment. I would like to state, I am not planning on participating in the movement. I pretty much fit the definition of “blue haired feminist liberal” so I don’t think anyone really questioned my votes. I also actively volunteer and work with oppressed groups (I am a housing specialist for women fleeing DV, and am based in a women’s homeless shelter). I know many have already commented and I should have asked this before— do you all live in red or blue states? I live in a blue city that was one of two municipalities in my state that did not vote red. I feel this movement, while empty gestures, is made a lot of women living in red states who may not know how to be open and active in their politics.

I have a new job as a school social worker in the US working with ages 5-18. I'll be doing therapy and teaching social and emotional skills. My office is completely empty and a clean slate. I'm wondering if anyone out there has recommendations for things they find indispensable in their school social work practices. Chairs, games, books, art supplies, fidgets, wall art, etc. I am open to any suggestions. TIA!

Just curious if as Medicare providers (if not opted out) are we considered federal contractors?

EDIT: If so, what do we need to consider about documentation when serving clients who may be treated unfavorably by a federal administration or agency or law?

I became a Social Worker a few years ago and have worked in several different environments. I have mainly worked in professional environments with a population of both established and newer Social Workers that have always been respectful towards one another and had great discussions to trade ideas and work habits. I recently began a new job where I am the only newer Social Worker. I am always polite, respectful and kind. However, I have received a lot of apprehension, disrespect, gossip about me, passive aggression, have had everything I do questioned, and am constantly compared to the individual I took over for. It has been very disheartening and I have been having difficulty adjusting to this kind of environment. I would like to have an open discussion with everyone regarding thoughts on the relationship between established and newer Social Workers and the gap that is there.

Edit: I am speaking on individuals that have been Social Workers for large periods of time and individuals that have recently joined the field. I have chosen established and newer to reflect these. I am not speaking on age (I an 43 myself and recently joined the field) only the amount of time in the field and how both groups of individuals interact with one another. I have seen plenty of individuals like myself go back to school later in life and become Social Workers and experience difficulty with being newer to the field just as others that may be younger than me and newly joining, it is not a basis of age.

Dept. of VA LMSW here. I am under scrutiny for not having enough RVUs, even though they say my work is great. I absolutely suck at documenting, so that’s half the problem. Secondly, LMSWs are required to acquire same number of RVUs as LCSWs, but the high value codes are off limits to LMSWs (psychiatric/therapy codes). I need to get real creative about how to up my RVUs .. I’m struggling. For context, I work with homeless veterans.

Is anyone an IECMHC? I recently learned this was a thing and I am soooo interested. It sounds so up my alley but I’d love to chat with someone who does it!

This thread is to alleviate the social work main page and focus commonly asked questions them into one area. This thread is also for people who are new to the field or interested in the field. You may also be referred here because the moderators feel that your post is more appropriate for here. People who have no questions please check back in here regularly in order to help answer questions!

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I need some feedback. I started a therapist position at a group practice this week. I'm provisionally licensed and this is my first time working in group practice. I originally accepted the offer after the practice verbalised I would get a full case load. They said they had a big wait list and that they would fill my schedule asap. As of now, I only have 1/3rd of this amount. After onboarding, they changed the story and are telling me, "we aren't sure when you will have other cases, we have to give assignments to the other therapists. We're working as quickly as possible to fill up your case load. It might be a while". I completely understand that, but I accepted the job thinking I'd have more hours. I only completed a few sessions this week because many cancelled on me. Which means I'm getting paid for less than 10 hours. I'm getting incredibly anxious about money and just feel uncomfortable with the vagueness of my pay.

I declined some solid job offers that would have given me a stable income. I am super tight on money right now, struggling to cover my basic necessities and feel like a fool. So my real question - should I give it more time (like 2-3 more weeks) to give the practice a chance to fill my schedule? Or should I quit sooner so I don't harm my clients? I would give a month's notice if these were therapy clients I had built a long rapport with, but many are only 1-2 sessions in. I would want to give 2-week's notice because this is a brand new role and I need money asap. Plus I feel like the employer is not being honest about my hours. I want to know how to ethically leave this group practice if I have to switch jobs in the near future.

I just attended a professional conference - Save Against Fear - that is centered around the usage of tabletop games, such as board games and role-playing games, in therapeutic practice. The organization that runs the conference - The Bodhana Group - is accredited to provide counseling CEUs, however I spoke with their director and they’ve been having some difficulty getting approved for providing social work CEUs. This is despite the fact that there is existing research that can be used to support the evidence-based usage of these games as a vehicle for therapeutic interventions. Does anyone have any ideas or information I could pass on to The Bodhana Group that could be helpful in their efforts to get approval for providing social work CEUs?

Side note, if the subject matter of the conference strikes anyone’s interest, I would highly suggest Save Against Fear as both a professional conference and a gaming convention. Currently having a blast at the gaming convention portion!