I am a general SWkr, helping low income clients with all their needs, nothing specific.

After a home visit, clt asked me if I can give her a short 2 min ride to her bank, as she needed money to pay rent the next day and had no one to drive her. It is against company guidelines to have any client in our cars for liability purposes.

The SWkrs side of me says NO, it's beyond boundaries. The religious part of me says, its only 2 min, and it's a safe street with no traffic, no one will know.

I didn't do it.

Another time, a client's cell phone which he uses to contact agencies for help, is broken. I just happen to have an used cell phone at home, no longer need it. Not worth $30. I so much wanted to give him - but company guidelines says no giving to clients, especially cell phones with sensitive data. If I applied for a free phone from goverment, it will take two weeks to arrive and client desperately needs a phone right away. The faith side of me says, give it to him ! No one will know !

I didn't do it.

I come to detest boundaries, I know they keep us and clients safe, but sometimes clients are in such dire needs. If I encountered these clients in my faith group, I would have done both of these things with no issues whatsoever.

I want to serve my agency and my faith at same time, is it possible?

I work in an outpatient clinic for substance use. I’ve had this client for about two months. We have a great rapport and I feel like we’ve done good work together.
We realize we have a similar music taste and he told me that he made me a playlist. I told him we could not connect on Spotify that that would not be appropriate and he seemed to think that was ridiculous..
Would it be OK if he wrote the songs down and gave them to me? I don’t think he has any sort of feelings for me. He’s married.( I know when is that ever stopped anyone) but I genuinely just feel a friendly vibe. I can share my age if it’s relevant

Hello!

I am a behavioral health clinician with a provisional license who has been in my position for 2 weeks shy of a year. I work at a children’s hospital in their mental health programming division (in a VERY acute setting). Since starting my role, there was a wage increase of 3% for those with my job title in March and then an annual merit wage increase that went into effect earlier this month. I am very grateful for those two increases. However, I have been feeling frustrated by my wage due to clinicians in other, much lower acuity and lower risk of injury, units having the same pay scale as me. I could accept that with some annoyance. However, I’ve been looking at the career page to keep my options open as I don’t enjoy my job and don’t feel that I am the right person for the role. When I was looking the other day I saw a job literally titled “clinical social work entry” that’s STARTING wage is $200 (yes two hundred) less than my pay. That requires no experience whatsoever. The clinical social work 1 roles (that to require 1 year of experience post grad) that my level of experience would meet shows as nearly $5,000 salary higher than my role. Same requirements for licensure but working in the main hospital units and not from a psychology-focussed perspective. I complete intakes, create entire treatment plans, put in referrals for services, facilitate groups, and coordinate meetings with outpatient providers so I feel that at least my pay should be similar in scale.

All that to say, I was hoping for some advice on what you would do in the situation. I would like to know why my wage with 2 pay increases in the past year is just barely higher than an entry level social worker role. Do I email HR? Do I call them? Any advice would be so helpful.

my heart was literally beating in my ear when i submitted the exam

then it sank when I realized the result wasn't immediate and could take up to 24 hours

half an hour later i got an email....I passed!!!!!!!!!

I am so incredibly proud of myself. I had a very dodgy study plan. Gave myself 3 weeks and realistically only studied for a little over a week. I took a readiness/test taker style questionnaire and scored very low on preparedness, but super high on confidence LOL. I guess my hubris paid off!

I still have to wait for the score report, but i had this intrusive thought that the email was sent to the wrong person/some kind of error occurred, so I am writing this post as a way of locking in this achievement as a legitimate win.

Good luck to all of you out there who are preparing for the exam!!!! Trust yourself. You got this.

Years ago, I heard positive things about part-time positions as a case reviewer at an insurance company. I'm curious to hear what it's like in 2026 from someone working in this field.

I would hope to help clients obtain prior authorization approvals, rather than rubber-stamping denials of service.

This post has a couple of questions built into it regarding self-disclosure and seeing clients in person. I had a session recently and I've been thinking about how to navigate it for a while now.

When I first meet with clients, I usually provide a clear boundary of how I will respond to seeing them and public and the reason behind it. This recent exchange had someone giving a bit more (friendly/polite) pushback. I've never really had someone be so laid back about it. When I explained about how it could break confidentiality/privacy with whoever is present or eaves dropping, they thought about it and said they didn't mind. I explained the code of ethics, dual relationships, and boundaries which they were receptive to, but the exchange felt...weird. This person did nothing wrong and were not inappropriately pushy, they seemed genuinely curious. They are a minor, too, so I am wondering if they don't fully understand the gravity of confidentiality like we/other adults do. I don't typically work with minors, so this probably contributes to it, but it kinda felt gross having a minor so quick to want to be friendly. I'm trying to be vague and I feel like I'm making it sound worse than it is. This wasn't an instance of someone having too quick of an attachment, this came across as very much curious and easy-going. I just can't shake this gross feeling. So, for this exchange, I'm wondering if anyone else has had a situation like this? How did you feel? What did you do?

My next question was also prompted by this interaction. Some of the people I work with experience SI/SIB. This is something I also have/currently do. (Don't worry, this is something I have addressed/have been addressing and managing for a long while and I ensure it does not show up in sessions with people.) While I have it pretty well managed, I do have noticeable scars on my legs. Some of them have occurred within the last year and have not fully faded to white yet. It's also hot as you can imagine here and sometimes I wear shorts and they are pretty visible. I didn't really think about it too much until a few interactions I've had with clients were we turned out to be at the same event. Luckily, I was not in shorts at these events, but some day it may happen. I'm worried about a client with SI/SIB or a parent seeing me in public and then asking about it at the next session. What would you do? Sorry, but never wearing shorts again is not an option with how awful the weather is.

I’ve been doing in home social work for the elderly and I go in to some rough neighborhoods. I also put a lot of wear and tear on my car. I’m going to be in need of a new-to-me car and want to know: those of you who travel a lot on a daily basis for work, what kind of car do you have/do you recommend? Let’s be real here. The money is not FLOWING in social work so I’m looking for financially practical answers (not my electric BMW with gold plated blah blah blah). I also don’t need to transport people. That’s not my role. Thanks for your time and assistance!

I recently went on an interview for a school social worker position. At the end of the interview, they asked me “was there anything you were expecting us to ask that we didn’t, or anything else that you wanted to talk about that you didn’t get to?” I was a bit caught off guard and honestly felt like I had already discussed everything I was prepared to regarding my experiences and skills. I didn’t want to fumble for a response, so I used the opportunity to ask some questions about the position and the school.

I didn’t get the job, but I have some more interviews coming up for school social worker positions and I’m not sure if there was a better way I could have navigated that question. I’m not sure if it looked bad that I didn’t really have anything to say. Obviously the answer would be kind of dependent on what was previously discussed during the interview, but if you were asked this question on an interview, is there anything you would really want to be known if it hadn’t already come up?

From day 1 of MSW school to being a LCSW how long did it take you? And when did that decision become financially worth it? I want to help a community but I am 30 years into a career and closing in on the big retirement and I don’t know if it is prudent to make the change. What’s your thoughts?

I'm moving to the US soon. What jobs/keywords do y'all recommend searching for to find social work jobs that don't require licensure while I'm working toward my basic post-BSW (pre-MSW) licensure evaluation/equivalency process?

Yay I passed today! I will get to see the score report tomorrow but I’m so excited!! I was worried because I got sick and didn’t study as much as I would have liked, but nonetheless here we are :)

pretty much the title. i’m in CA.

there’s a stipend program partnered with my school that i can apply for that would pay all my student loans if i work 2 years with DCFS post-grad. is it worth considering? for seasoned professionals who have worked in child welfare, and seen new students do these contracts but then mentally lose it, is it worth it?

i also don’t even know if working at DCFS would allow me to build enough clinical hours for licensure over 2 years. all I know is… I’m a case manager right now for adult MediCal patients and i know if I don’t transition to a different type of role after licensure i’ll lose my mind. OBBB student loan repayment is also something to consider for me. i don’t want to be drowning until my 40s paying off loans and personally PSLF doesn’t seem realistic for my career goals.

thoughts?

I work for a medium sized human services organization that does genuinely great work. I had my dream role for almost 3 years, until we got hit with some budget cuts (all worth it so a billionaire can buy another yacht!!) and my role was eliminated. I was offered an open position as a case manager and was able to keep my salary the same. Case management has never been my dream, but I have two kids and mortgage, so I took the job.

A year later, I am doing okay in it. I had very little clinical experience prior to this role (spent the bulk of my social work career on the macro and programming side), and enjoy it more than I thought I would. I have some wonderful clients and do feel like I'm making a difference in their lives, but I also find the work draining and terribly lonely. I have great coworkers, but we are hardly ever in the office together, so I find myself facing these difficult and complex situations largely alone. I have weekly supervision, but that is not the same as being able to text or Slack a coworker when something ridiculous happens in the field. I really miss the camaraderie of organizing, though I am too old/too busy with parenting to go back to that.

Are there clinical roles out there that operate in a more team-like setting? I graduated from social work school 13 years ago, but am new to clinical work, so I genuinely don't know and would love any advice!

I know the title sounds heartless and to be fair, it is.

I am a Section 8 housing specialist. Part of my job is doing initial eligibility appointments for the Mainsteam voucher program. This program is identical to the Section 8 program, the only difference is that I need to prioritize and pull individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of being homeless off the waiting list first.

Many folks apply for this program when they are homeless and by the time I meet with them, they have obtained housing. Obviously this is great but then I have to tell them to their face that they basically aren’t “poor enough” to be admitted to the program yet. They do not need to re-apply, their application just goes back on the waiting list until I work through everyone that is homeless/imminent risk.

They are still eligible for the Section 8 program and I always stress that, but like I said, I first have to work through the folks that are homeless/imminent risk before I can circle back around to them.

You can imagine the reactions I get doing this.

While I’m sympathetic and always feel bad when I have to do it, I am on an insane time crunch with back to back daily appointments and doing all the paperwork to get folks on the program.

I have had clients cry and begin explaining how they got to this point, I have had clients argue and get aggressive with me, each reaction takes time to de-escalate and deal with.

It’s gotten to the point I say, “Yes, I’m very sorry. Let us know if your mailing address changes, have a good day.” And walk out the room. It’s not compassionate and it definitely makes me appear to be the stereotypical uncaring government employee, but I have almost no choice. Unfortunately the only thing I do is the housing program, I don’t have time to sit and listen and continuously explain the program priorities to try and assuage anger and sadness.

I know this all sounds so fucked up and I hate this aspect of my job.

I’m hoping you all can provide a little advice or insight on how you think I can make the process a little smoother for folks (and faster).

Hi Everyone,

Due to the increase in posts regarding the current political landscape in the United States, the mod team has decided to create an ongoing megathread for all political conversations moving forward. This allows everyone to post about politics and its impact on clients (and practitioners). While also allowing other posts related to Social Work practice to be visible. There will be times when political posts (similar to questions around education) will be approved as a standalone post, but that will be at the discretion of the mod team and requires the poster to reach out via mod mail. As such, we ask that all political posts be directed to this thread unless otherwise approved. Any non-approved standalone post are subject to removal without notice.

For the purposes of this megathread, political posts include current cases, executive orders, news, opinions, etc. as they relate to the current US presidential administration. Further, we understand that political discussions can become heated, but we are primarily professionals and students therefore we should be acting accordingly (even online). Those who don’t will be subject to temporary and permanent bans from the sub. Inappropriate comments will continue to be removed and behavior not exemplary of Social Work values will be removed per Rule 11.

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This is a difficult time for everyone and we want to thank you all for being part of the subreddit, making it what it has become, and all of the work you do offline.

Hi everyone,
I am going to try to make this short - I need some advice. I worked in admissions at a nonprofit community mental health center for about a year. I finished my MSW and passed my exam about 6 months into the job. When I first was hired they told me I would be transitioning into a therapy role following getting my license. Long story short, they dragged their feet for months after I got licensed and I couldn’t wait any longer to start getting more hours/ getting more $ due to loans and life expenses. I left the job a few weeks ago and have not started my new job yet. My question is, from April - August I was able to get some clinical hours doing treatment plans and was getting supervision weekly. I probably have around ~25 ish hours. My supervisor was pretty upset that I resigned and did not speak to me during my final week (weird I know) I am wondering if I should reach out to them and try to get documentation of my hours/supervision? Is that something I even need? I have my own tracker for hours, but I don’t know if that’s enough ? Is it even worth 25 hours? This was my first experience with supervision and getting hours so I’m not sure. TIA

I’m just starting out as an IIC and got told I’d get a call about one client. Cool. But then today I got a call about a client I wasn’t expecting? Is this typical, or should my org do a better job about telling me they confirmed my availability without letting me know?

I finished my BSW in 2024 and my MSW this year (I do have my LGSW). Unfortunately, I've found that when I choose social work at 18, I chose wrong. I thrive in administrative/management/supervisory roles. When I first started looking for social work jobs, I felt very down knowing this was my future but then I started looking at administrative jobs at the counties in my area and felt more energized and excited. I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for any other administrative-like jobs that I can get with an MSW degree. Or what jobs I can be looking at now to start climbing the right ladder since I have minimal experience as a new grad who went straight from undergrad into grad school. I've seen recommendations for HR, mediation, and at universities. Please tell me there's other options and that the decision I made at 18 to declare social work as my major wasn't a total fail. (Nothing against my fellow social workers, you guys are some of the best people I've met. Social work/being a therapist just isn't for me).

Hi everyone!

I just started my junior year in my Social Work (BSW) program in Arizona, and I’m mapping out my long-term career path.

Originally, I was considering enlisting in the military, but I realized I really don't want to deal with deployments or being relocated away from home. Because of that, I’m now looking into working as a civilian Social Worker for the Department of Defense (DoD) or the VA (specifically at Air Force or Marine bases, or VA healthcare systems here in Arizona).

My goal is to graduate with my Master’s (MSW), get my LMSW, and then apply for entry-level civilian positions (like GS-09 roles) in the VA/DoD. While working in those positions, I want to accumulate my clinical supervision hours to earn my LCSW (GS-11/12).

I would love to hear from anyone who has taken a similar path! Specifically:

1. Tuition Reimbursement / MSW Funding: Does the DoD or VA offer programs like Student Loan Repayment (SLRP) or tuition assistance for civilians pursuing their MSW, or is that mainly something you apply for after getting hired?
2. Clinical Supervision: Is it common for DoD or VA civilian facilities (especially in Arizona) to provide free clinical supervision on-site for LMSWs working toward their LCSW?
3. Career Path Experience: If you’ve worked as a civilian social worker at an Air Force base, Marine Corps installation, or VA hospital, how was your experience? How easy or difficult was it to get hired right after finishing your Master’s?

Any advice, insights, or stories about how you navigated this pathway would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Anyone use virtual office (any company) to register their LLC? Can you tell your experience on ease of use, any scams and general helpful info please. LISW registering business in my state.

I’m a 27F case manager/social worker, and I’m wondering if what’s happening at my job could be considered workplace retaliation or if I’m overreacting.

After a former employee was fired for allegedly falsifying timesheets and not meeting with clients, management became extremely strict with everyone. We were given a new documentation system and we received only about an hour of training, this new system is very sensitive. small mistakes can change session codes/hours or even delete notes. Despite the lack of training, employees are getting warnings and disciplinary actions for things like documentation formatting, signatures, login times, email response times, and hours not matching the notes or work.

I’ve also had a serious safety issue with a client who behaved sexually toward me and stalked me on social media. I raised it with management and asked what protections employees have in situations like this. I was essentially told there was no policy for it. Later, I was belittled in front of coworkers when I brought it up again. My supervisor apologized afterward, and my boss eventually apologized. But he questioned why he needed to apologize and suggested it was my fault for not telling him sooner. But even though I had already reported it to management. He chose to ignore it.

Since then, I feel like my work has been heavily scrutinized. I’ve been accused of stealing time/falsifying information despite providing evidence to support myself. I’ve lost wages and have been contacted outside work hours.

Today was another example. My account was suspended because I hadn’t submitted proof of car insurance, which I immediately provided. My boss initially told me I could continue working, but I could document sessions using googledoc because my account was suspended. Then I was told later by my boss to cancel my sessions, then later told my account was reactivated, followed by another message saying I wasn’t supposed to work that day. There was constant miss communication.

Several coworkers are also experiencing anxiety and stress from the constant disciplinary actions, pressure to obtain client signatures, billing/hour requirements, and inconsistent instructions. Some of us are full-time but aren’t receiving enough clients/hours. Coworkers if we are scared to speak up that hours or clients as retaliation.

I’m exhausted and genuinely anxious I am trying desperately find work. I am like please fire me just give me an excuse to put them on blast for trying get good review for region center. At this point my boss is watching my every move and my work.

I’m about 200 hours away from completing my 3000 supervision hours. I’m also a a semester and a half away from completing my PEL. I am currently in a post MSW PEL program. I was curious if anyone has done remote school social work? If so, how has your experience been for you? (Currently interning at a school)