§ 3201. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Clinical social work” is a specialty practice of social work within the practice of master’s social work and requires the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities.

(A) The practice of clinical social work requires the application of specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, conditions, and addictions.

(B) Treatment methods include the provision of individual, marital, couple, family, and group counseling, and psychotherapy, which may occur in diverse settings.

(C) The practice of clinical social work may include private practice and the provision of clinical supervision.

(D) Licensed independent clinical social workers are qualified to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and other diagnostic classification systems used in diagnosis and other activities.

(2) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.

(3) “Licensed independent clinical social worker” means a person licensed under this chapter to practice clinical social work.

(4) “Licensed master’s social worker” is a person licensed under this chapter to practice master’s social work. Psychotherapy is not within the scope of practice of a “licensed master’s social worker.” The practice of a licensed master’s social worker engaged in supervised practice toward licensure as a licensed independent clinical social worker may include the practices reserved for licensed independent clinical social workers.

(5) “Master’s social work” means the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, and ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

(A) Master’s social work practice includes the application of specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills in the areas of assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation, case management, information and referral, supportive counseling, supervision, consultation, education, research, advocacy, community organization, and the development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs, and activities.

(B) Under supervision as provided in this chapter, the practice of master’s social work may include the practices reserved for clinical social workers.

(6) “Office” means the Office of Professional Regulation.

(7) “Psychotherapy” means the provision of treatment, diagnosis, evaluation, or counseling services to individuals or groups, for a consideration, for the purpose of alleviating mental disorders.

(A) “Psychotherapy” involves the application of therapeutic techniques to understand unconscious or conscious motivation, resolve emotional, relationship, or attitudinal conflicts, or modify behavior that interferes with effective emotional, social, or mental functioning.

(B) “Psychotherapy” follows a systematic procedure of psychotherapeutic intervention that takes place on a regular basis over a period of time, or, in the case of evaluation and brief psychotherapies, in a single or limited number of interventions.

(C) If a person is employed by or under contract with the Agency of Human Services, this definition does not apply to persons with less than a master’s degree; to persons providing life skills training or instruction, such as learning to make friends, to handle social situations, to do laundry, and to develop community awareness; or to interactions of employees or contracted individuals with clients whose job description or contract specifications do not specifically mention “psychotherapy” as a job responsibility or duty. (Added 1985, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1993, No. 98, § 20; 1993, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1997, No. 40, § 49; 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 19; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 53; 2015, No. 38, § 31, eff. July 1, 2017.)