Mental Health Social Worker

Explore This Path

Help individuals overcome challenges and improve their mental well-being.
Make a positive impact by supporting clients through therapy and crisis intervention.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to tailor effective treatment plans.

💰 Earn $51K-$107K

📚 Master Degree

⏱️ 48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 11.6% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

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.
Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Master Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

Over 4 years

Job Openings

11,100 Annually

Median Earnings

$71,450 in California

$55,960 Nationally

$25K

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$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Mental Health Social Worker? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@absmurray

@keyacakes

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Being creative or artistic
Relating with or serving others
Thinking and problem solving

You are skilled in 💫

Active Learning
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Mental Health Social Worker

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years