clinical social work

clinical social work is a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances. individual, group and family therapy are common treatment modalities. social workers who provide these services are required to be licensed or certified at the clinical level in their state of practice. 

clinical social workers perform services in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, community mental health, primary care, and agencies. nasw advocates for clinical social workers through the legislative and regulatory process.