Social Work

Consumer Information

What You Should Know About Certified Social Workers and Their Services

What is social work?

Social work is a profession that helps individuals, families, and groups change behaviors, emotions, attitudes, relationships, and social conditions to restore and enhance their capacity to meet their personal and social needs.

Social workers are trained to provide a variety of services, ranging from psychotherapy to the administration of health and welfare programs. They work with human development and behavior, including the social, economic, and cultural systems in which people function.

What is a C.S.W., and who may use that title?

Only licensed social work professionals may legally use the title Certified Social Worker or C.S.W. in New York State. Many employers and managed care organizations require social workers to be licensed as a qualification for practice. (Please see the Verifying a New York license section for additional information.)

What conditions can be helped by social workers?

Social workers deal with a wide variety of long and short-term mental, emotional, and behavioral conditions, including the following:

• mental illnesses and emotional disturbances (psychotherapy is often provided by social workers);
• marital and family difficulties;
• adjustment problems related to acute and chronic illnesses;
• alcohol and substance abuse;
• behavioral and learning disorders of children and adolescents; and
• stress

How do social workers help people with such conditions?

Social workers assist people with problems while helping them to identify and use their strengths to deal with situations. They also help their clients negotiate situations in the environment that can contribute to stress. For example, social workers:

• assess and evaluate clients;
• provide individual and group psychotherapy;
• identify resources and coordinate client services, including case management; and
• advocate for clients' needs.

How do I locate a C.S.W.?

C.S.W.'s (Certified Social Workers) work in many different settings, including (but not limited to) hospitals, businesses, schools, nursing homes, government agencies, community mental health centers, family service agencies, social and recreation centers, and private practice. To locate a C.S.W., check with the following:

• People you know who have had successful experiences with a particular professional
• Professional social work organizations, which may have a list of member providers and their specialties
• Your local library, for directories published by national social work organizations
• The yellow pages of your telephone directory under "Social Workers" or "Social Service Agencies or Organizations"

The State Board for Social Work cannot refer you to a social worker.

To help your professional relationship with a C.S.W.:

• Answer questions as completely and accurately as possible
• Ask questions to clarify anything you do not understand
• Authorize other professionals who provided you service to release your records (when appropriate)
• Discuss fees for service, including insurance coverage for your care
• Keep scheduled appointments, or cancel with ample notice

What credentials does a New York licensed Social Worker have?

New York licensed social workers have earned a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree from a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; typical programs equal two years of graduate course work, including supervised internships. In addition, licensed social workers have passed a national licensing exam.

What records does my social worker maintain? Can anyone else get them?

Your file typically contains an assessment of your situation (including your personal and family history), a treatment plan, reports from other treatment professionals (with your consent), a record of each session, and progress notes. C.S.W.'s must keep client records for six years or until the client turns 22, whichever is longer.

Generally, your records are confidential unless you approve their release. Ask your professional about exceptions to this. If you want a copy of your records, provide your C.S.W. with a written request. You may be charged a reasonable fee to offset the cost of providing copies.

What questions should individuals with disabilities ask about accessing services?

Ask such questions as whether the service location is physically accessible (curb cuts, ramps, restrooms, etc.) as well as whether there is a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) and parking for people with disabilities.

Verifying a New York license:

New York C.S.W.'s must display a current New York registration certificate; this certificate lists the C.S.W.'s name, address, and dates of the registration period. C.S.W.'s must reregister every three years to practice in New York.

C.S.W. license numbers may start with "P" or "R" to show that the C.S.W. has qualified as a provider of psychotherapy services for insurance purposes. Some professionals choose to display their original New York license, diploma, licenses from other states, and membership certificates. You may verify a license on this site.