What Does

An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Do?

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INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS

• Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are social workers who have extensive postgraduate training and experience in the field of mental health. They must complete a Bachelor of Social Work (4 years) and at least 2 years experience in the clinical mental health field (6 years of training and proven ability) before they can apply for mental health accreditation.

 

• Accredited Mental Health Social Workers may provide services privately under Medicare. ​

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1. Training and Accreditation:

   • Mental Health Accredited Social Worker: These professionals have undergone additional specialised training and supervision specific to mental health issues. They are accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as having met specific standards and competencies in mental health practice.

   • General Social Worker: Typically refers to a social worker who has completed a generalist social work degree. While they may have some exposure to mental health issues, their training and expertise may not be as focused or extensive as that of a mental health accredited social worker.

2. Expertise and Scope of Practice:

   • Mental Health Accredited Social Worker: These professionals are equipped to assess and treat a broad range of mental health issues, including severe and complex cases. They often work in clinical settings alongside other mental health professionals, providing psychotherapy, counseling, and other therapeutic interventions tailored to individuals, families, or groups.

   • General Social Worker: Their practice may encompass various fields such as community work, child protection, disability services, and more generalized social support. Their involvement in mental health may include basic support and referral but is generally less specialized compared to mental health accredited social workers.

3. Roles and Responsibilities:

   • Mental Health Accredited Social Worker: They play critical roles in mental health treatment teams, collaborating with psychiatrists, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care. They may also engage in advocacy, case management, and crisis intervention specific to mental health settings.

   • General Social Worker: While they also engage in advocacy and case management, their roles are broader and may include community development, policy advocacy, and social justice initiatives across a wider spectrum of social issues.

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• Will my information be kept confidential?

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are bound by a code of ethics, which includes maintaining confidentiality about what you discuss with them. However, there may be exceptional circumstances where an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker may need to discuss your information with others, such as when there is concern about your safety. You can talk to your local Accredited Mental Health Social Worker about the situations in which your information might be shared.

 

• How do I receive a Medicare rebate?

To receive a Medicare rebate when seeing an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker: 1. Make an appointment to see your GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist 2.  ask your GP for a mental health care plan and a referral letter, or 3. If you are being referred by your psychiatrist or paediatrician, just ask for a referral letter.

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INFORMATION FOR REFERRERS

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are registered providers of Medicare Australia. They have been assessed by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as having specialist mental health expertise. 

An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) is eligible to provide services through the Commonwealth-funded Better Access to Mental Health Care and Chronic Diseases Management (Enhanced Primary Care) programs. 

 

Accredited Mental Health Socials Workers have a breadth of experience in assessing and treating people who have mental health disorders, for example people with:

- Depression and other mood disorders 

- Anxiety Disorders

- Personality Disorders

- Psychosis

- Suicidal thoughts

- Relationship problems

- Life crises

- Adjustment issues

- Trauma

- Family conflicts

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Social Workers recognise the broader implications of an individual having a mental illness and the impact on friends, family, work and education.

 

Like other allied health professionals, such as psychologists, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers use a range of interventions in helping people with mental health disorders, including the following focused psychological strategies:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy

• Relaxation strategies

• Skills training

• (Problem solving, Anger management, Social skills, Stress management, Parenting skills)

• Interpersonal therapy

• Psycho-education (including Motivational Interviewing)

• Eye-Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Narrative therapy for clients of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

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When should I refer to an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker?

Patients often approach their GP with concern about negative life circumstances, for example relationship breakdown, life crisis or social isolation. These often point to, or are accompanied by, significant and persistent mental health problems. Accredited Mental Health Social Workers understand mental disorders, and have particular training, skill and expertise to assess and offer treatment. Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are also experienced in working collaboratively with other health professionals.

 

How do I refer?

Under government mental health care programs, the first step is for you to formulate a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan for your patient. You are eligible for a rebate fee from Medicare to complete this plan. Please check with Medicare for the billing item number to activate any referral. A written referral letter is required for your patient, who can then contact an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker to arrange an appointment.

 

What feedback will I receive?

It is a requirement of these programs that you will be provided with a written report providing information on: • Assessments carried out • Treatment provided • Recommendations for future management.

 

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers help individuals to resolve their presenting psychological problems, the associated social and other environmental problems, and improve their quality of life. This may involve family as well as individual counselling, and group therapy. Social workers recognise the broader implications of an individual having a mental illness and the impact on friends, family, work and education. 

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More information can be found at the AASW website here.