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Community and Social Service

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
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Median pay

$60,060
Median annual pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

9.7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

13,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

136,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+13,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Master's degree
Typical additional preparation: Internship/residency.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Therapy and Counseling
  2. 2Psychology
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Customer and Personal Service
  5. 5Education and Training
  6. 6Sociology and Anthropology

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Written Comprehension
  5. 5Written Expression
  6. 6Deductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Artistic
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Empathy
  2. 2Cooperation
  3. 3Sincerity
  4. 4Dependability
  5. 5Social Orientation
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  3. 3Documenting/Recording Information
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2E-Mail
  3. 3Telephone Conversations
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Representative tasks

  • Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
  • Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
  • Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
  • Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
  • Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
  • Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
  • Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
  • Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.

Software and tools

Microsoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologySocial Solutions ETOScheduling softwarePatient electronic medical record EMR softwareNetscape NavigatorMicrosoft Publisher

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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