What exactly is a social worker?

Question

what do they do?

Answer 1

A social worker is typically a "masters" level therapist or clinician (focusing in the area of psychology).  They have many different roles:

1.  Therapist

2.  Case manager

And so much more...  They can work in private practice and see clients in individual or group treatment sessions.  They can work for an agency providing counseling, case management, and advocacy roles.

But again - I think the most well-known type of job they do is "therapist."

Rory

Answer 2

A person, usually with a Master's degree in Social Work.  They counsel people, do family counseling, marraige counseling, drug & alcohol counseling, work in adoption agencies, oversee foster care for the county, are those DFACS ladies, may work in hospitals counseling people, do grief counseling, that sort of stuff.

Answer 3

Social Worker- a crazy person who thinks they can help people who dont want help for little pay, high stress, and little to no accolades.  

I am one of these lunatics.  They  try to help people in some way--welfare, job training, child services, adult services, probation, counseling, mentoring programs, etc.  

Social workers are very special people--they give up alot for their clients.  The ones who are really good--dont give up and make it for many years.  If you are not cut out for it--you will never make it.  Extremely emotionally draining on a bad day, exhilarating beyond measure on a good day.