Social Workers In South Africa

The role of social workers

Defining social work is not simple. They are expected to be able to handle many different kinds of problems, discussed below, relating to your (and the wider community’s) emotional, physical, mental and financial health. Different types of social workers handle different cases, but in general they are trained to evaluate your needs and connect you to the help that would be most beneficial to you. Unlike mental health therapists, social workers are sometimes available for group sessions as well. A community may need a social worker on-site for certain needs, such as helping develop stable public policy that will impact the local people in a positive way. In that sense, the expertise of a social worker can have a much larger scale than that of a mental health therapist, though they are sometimes asked to perform similar duties. Some social workers work hand in hand with the SAPS, especially in cases where children or trauma is involved. For the most part though, Find Help’s caring and dedicated social workers are there to expertly assess the situation, highlight potential solutions, and guide their clients back to a life where they can interact normally and happily with society.

What does a social worker’s job entail?

Social work entails evaluation first. After that, they will examine you and try to figure out the best course of action to deal with your current situation. Analysis techniques help social workers create personalised plans with you to determine the kind of social work you need and the goals you should set for your continued therapy. In some cases, they may be able to determine that all you need is to be connected with government assistance services to help you with your situation, whether financial, marital, or legal. However, many people that seek social work need extended or more customised care. This means that most social workers find themselves performing many duties, including as family counselors, mental health therapists, financial advisors, or whatever else the client needs. For this reason, they’re a great first point of contact when you're not sure where to turn. Should they feel you need specialised help with a problem, social workers have an extensive network of professionals, facilities, and government organisations they can connect you with. Find Help offers an excellent selection of nearby social workers across South Africa.

Types of social workers

As we’ve seen, social workers wear a lot of different hats! And while they’re skilled at adapting to the needs of each individual patient, many specialise in an area they are particularly passionate about, such as working with children, adolescents, the homeless, or couples.
Some social workers are more experienced in financial matters and can connect you with the proper government assistance programs to fulfill your needs. Social workers with economic backgrounds are in high demand, as so many family or emotional issues have a bad financial situation at the core of the problem. Some social workers are called Licensed Clinical Social Workers and these function as a combination between a social worker and a mental health counselor. These workers help clients not only with emotional issues but also with substance abuse and addictive behaviour. Some social workers may even be experienced in public policy, making them advantageous for a city or province that wants to enact legislation that will affect people’s daily lives, and wants the input of an experienced counselor. The breadth of work that social workers are called on to be knowledgeable in makes them useful to many governing bodies.

Considering a social worker

If you or your family have any issue that you're not sure where to turn for help to, then a social worker is the ideal place to start! These include problems with your mental health, family life, domestic situation, children or finances. They may be able to connect you speedily with relevant assistance programs, or help you directly with your issues if they’re licensed as a mental health therapist as well. Here on Find Help, you’ll see we have a broad and growing selection of social workers in Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as across South Africa and even Namibia. If you have a more specific issue, then you might find the services of these specialist therapists useful:

• Counselling Psychologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Clinical Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Educational Psychologists

The benefits of using a social worker

Working alongside a social worker comes with many benefits, though they differ depending on the type of worker you look for. Some may be able to connect you with a government assistance program, which may be all you need. For more extended therapy, however, Find Help’s expert social workers in South Africa can offer counselling for mental health, marriage and relationship issues, and any life-changing issues you may be experiencing. They can help you manage children through a divorce, repair your finances, or even help you with the mental health of a community if you happen to be a lawmaker or city official. On that note, social workers can be used to provide therapy and services for a group, which normal counsellors often don’t offer. This can have numerous benefits for a team that you’re managing, or even a group of close friends who need a mediator to help them with emotional stability, or dealing with a shared loss.

Tips for choosing the right social worker for you

You’ll see that all Find Help’s social workers in Durban, Pretoria, or JHB give a description of the areas they specialise in on their listings. Once you’ve narrowed your search down to social workers near you, you can further refine it by the kinds of problems you're experiencing. For example, some of our therapists specialise in eating disorders, loss and grief, family problems, or anxiety.

Other types of therapists to consider

If you’re not sure that a social worker is the right person for your needs, consider traditional mental health counseling instead. Find Help’s social workers in South Africa specialize in how emotional and financial states affect your relationship with those around you. However, if you feel that your sessions need to be more long-term and more focused on your individual mental health, you may prefer a more conventional mental health therapist. Counselling psychologists, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are all good options.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve put together a list of questions to help you find out whether a social worker is what you’re looking for.

What should I expect from my session?

A session with a social worker is similar to those from other therapists, and will begin with an evaluation aimed to determine your specific needs and the goals that the counseling should help you achieve.

Is the information I share confidential?

So long as the information you share does not endanger anyone (including yourself), your information will be kept completely confidential. All our qualified social workers in Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban make it their goal to help you through your issues, and want to provide you a safe and confidential environment in which you can voice your concerns without judgement, and get the help you need.

How long are the sessions?

A session with a social worker is typically 45 minutes long, though some offer shorter appointment times, especially for younger patients.

Are all of your social workers registered and qualified?

Yes, Find Help’s social workers all hold at minimum a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or a related field - and are certified by the South African Council for Social Service Professions and/or the [National Association of Social Workers](https://www.ifsw.org/member-organisation/south-africa-2/]. Please contact us today for more information on Find Help’s social workers.