Skip navigation

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers - 21-1023.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Case Manager
  • Clinical Social Worker
  • Clinical Therapist
  • Clinician
  • Counselor
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Mental Health Therapist
  • Social Worker
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Therapist

SOC Occupation Groups

21-0000 Community and Social Service Occupations
21-1000 Counselors, Social Workers, and Other Community and Social Service Specialists
21-1020 Social Workers
21-1023.00 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
  • Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
  • Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
  • Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
  • Develop or advise on social policy or assist in community development.
  • Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
  • Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes.
  • Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
  • Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
  • Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
  • Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse, combat social problems, or improve health or counseling services in community.
  • Refer patient, client, or family to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy.
  • Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Advise others on social or educational issues.
  • Assist clients in handling details of daily life.
  • Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.
  • Collect information about clients.
  • Conduct research on social issues.
  • Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues.
  • Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
  • Counsel family members of clients or patients.
  • Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.
  • Lead classes or community events.
  • Maintain client records.
  • Maintain professional social services knowledge.
  • Modify treatment plans to accommodate client needs.
  • Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
  • Plan programs to address community health issues.
  • Refer clients to community or social service programs.
  • Supervise workers providing client or patient services.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Warrior Toughness Training (AWTT) Instructor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Behavioral Health Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Behavioral Health Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Behavioral Sciences (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain Specialist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Aviation Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Health Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Investigative Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Operational Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychology (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Social Worker (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Social Worker (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Command and Unit Chaplain (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Correctional Counselor (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Correctional Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Counseling and Assistance Center Director (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Service Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Mental Health Nurse (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Mental Health Service (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Navy Primary Prevention (PP) and Human Factors Process (HFP) Advanced Professional Development Train the Trainer Certification (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Nurse Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Religious Affairs (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Program Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Social Work (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Substance Abuse Control Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Substance Abuse Control Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Substance Abuse Control Officer (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Substance Abuse Control Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Substance Abuse Counselor (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Supervisory Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Tactical Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Case Manager
  • Social Worker, Psychiatric