Getting Our Organizations to Adopt a Social Ecological Approach to Clinical Practice, Case Management, and Advocacy

A recent study of clinical social workers working in private practice settings showed that even though most understood that their role should include case management and linking clients to social support networks, many hesitated to do more than provide individually-focused treatment (Groves & Kerson, 2011). This, despite clear guidelines from professional associations like the National Association of Social Workers, which identifies case management as a core competency. I suspect the same narrow definition of the counselor’s role could be found among many other mental health professionals.