Some social workers conduct research, advocate for improved services, engage in systems design or are involved in planning or policy development. Many social workers specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting.

Social workers assist people by helping them cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 715,000 social workers in the United States in 2020.

Social workers help relieve people's suffering, fight for social justice, and improve lives and communities. Most people think of social workers when they think of poverty alleviation and child welfare.

2025年2月5日 · The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies.

Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services; and ...

However, social workers go through years of education and training so they can help individuals, families, communities and our society reach their full potential. That is why the theme for Social Work Month 2025 is Social Work: Compassion + Action.

Clinical social work is a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances. Individual, group and family therapy are common treatment modalities.

The theme for Social Work Month 2025 is Social Work: Compassion + Action. Social Work Month is a great time to learn and reflect on the profession’s many positive contributions. Feel free to use the items in our toolkit to celebrate all the social workers you know.

Social workers should inform clients when a real or potential conflict of interest arises and take reasonable steps to resolve the issue in a manner that makes the clients’ interests primary and protects clients’ interests to the greatest extent possible.

Social work is an excellent career choice for those who care about human dignity and social justice. The field is as diverse as the individuals, families, and communities we serve. Learn about the many career paths in the field, how to get started on a social work career path.