Social Worker

Clinical social workers (LCSW, LICSW and equivalents) hold a master’s degree in social work plus supervised clinical hours. They are the largest single group of licensed psychotherapy providers in the United States. Training emphasises the person in their environment, so alongside therapy they often help with practical systems — benefits, housing, school and medical coordination.

This is the general social work taxonomy. It does not distinguish clinical practice — psychotherapy — from other social work roles such as case management, child welfare or discharge planning. Check the credential and the state licence before assuming a provider offers therapy.

The formal definition

A social worker is a person who is qualified by a Social Work degree, and licensed, certified or registered by the state as a social worker to practice within the scope of that license. A social worker provides assistance and counseling to clients and their families who are dealing with social, emotional and environmental problems. Social work services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups, and the public.

Source: NUCC Health Care Provider Taxonomy code set. This is the definition used for billing and registration, which is why it reads the way it does.