What is a Mental Health Social Worker? 

When most people think about seeking counselling or psychological counselling, they think about going to see a Psychologist.  But did you know that Mental Health Social Workers can also provide this service. 

A Mental Health Social Worker will have completed a 4 year Social Work degree or 5-6 year undergraduate / Masters in Social Work progression. A further minimum 2 years of clinically supervised practice in the mental health field is required before applying for accreditation in mental health.  Often Mental Health Social Workers will have also completed other qualifications in the mental health field, and ongoing annual professional development is required. The accreditation is a rigorous process, involving a lengthy application and exam, assessed by the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) against national mental health practice standards.   Once accredited the Title of Mental Health Social Worker is given, and a Medicare provider number can be applied for. 

Under the Medicare system, Mental Health Social Workers can offer the same services under a Mental Health Care Plan  as a Psychologist or Mental Health Occupational Therapist in the form of Focussed Psychological Therapies.  

So you are in good hands with whichever health professional you choose!