Clinical social workers are available throughout the
hospital and the outpatient clinics to help all patients and
families manage the stresses that may be associated with a
person's illness or life situation, including:
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Grief, loss, and bereavement
- Difficult family or social situations
- Medical crisis and adjustment to illness
- Substance abuse assessment and referral
- Family violence and abuse
- Guardianship
- Cultural concerns
Our Services
Our Social Workers provide the following:
- Psychosocial assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Information, education, and referral to available
community resources
- Individual, group, marital, and family counseling
- Patient and family conferences
- Discharge planning in the outpatient clinics
- Self-help and support groups for patients and
families
- Patient and family advocacy
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Clinical Social Workers and what do they do?
Clinical Social Workers are licensed mental health
professionals trained to help people find solutions to many of
life's most difficult situations. Clinical Social Workers earn
a Master's degree in a two-year program and like physicians,
attorneys and other professionals, they then specialize in a
particular area of practice. They may work in mental health,
health care, employee assistance, or substance abuse, or have
private therapy practices. The scope of their practice
encompasses all points in the lifespan, from infancy to old
age.
Why choose a Clinical Social Worker?
Clinical Social Workers are trained in individual, couples,
family, and group therapy as well as in policy and systems
theory. Clinical Social Workers believe in drawing upon the
strengths of the individual and are skilled at mobilizing
family, friends, and community resources to help solve
problems.
How can a Clinical Social Worker help me at Duke?
At Duke University Hospital, Licensed Clinical Social
Workers are members of the health care team who assist patients
and families with the stresses associated with sudden and
chronic illness and its impact on everyday life. Social Workers
are also available to the staff at Duke for consultation around
difficult psychological, family, or social issues such as family
violence, mental health problems, or substance abuse.
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Professional Social Work Resources At Duke
Internship Opportunities
The Department maintains a comprehensive social work
internship program and provides placements for social work
interns from the region and throughout the United States. Our
students include undergraduate and graduate social work interns
from CSWE accredited colleges and graduate schools.
Interns have the opportunity for hands-on work in a
multidisciplinary setting under the guidance of experienced
social work supervisors. Interns also participate in a weekly
health/mental health colloquium series and a bi-weekly case
conference. Interns are accepted for fall, spring, and/or
summer semesters and are placed throughout the health system
and medical center. For more information, call
919-681-6840.
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