***Clinical Psychologists & Social Workers*** Mary Grun Period 2

What is this about??? This section is about clinical psychologists and social workers. It talks about what clinical psychologists and social workers do. Also, it states their schooling and work places.

What is the main Idea??? One main point that stood out to me about clinical psychologists was that they specialize in recognizing and treating abnormal behaviors. Also, social workers counsel and help the patient create a link between them and a treatment center.

What are some details??? A clinical psychologists is a mental-health professional, who specializes in recognizing and treating abnormal behavior. They have a doctoral degree in psychology. They train for at least two years in a clinic and/or hospital. These people cannot prescribe medication because they are not medical doctors. A social worker is a mental-health professional who counsels patients and provides a link between the patient and a treatment center. Social workers can also counsel at schools and stay at the school. They, themselves, have gone to a four year college and two years of advanced study in social work. These people specialize in helping mentally ill people, as well as their families. They help them all accept and adjust to mental illness, most psychiatric social workers work in hospitals, mental-health clinics, or family agencies.

Story!!! I know this girl named Nicole. She has a mental illness that makes her very upset and depressed. One day she got really angry and upset and tried killing herself. We didn’t notice anything before this day, any changes with her attitude, nothing. After this day though, everything changed. Her school tried getting her to talk to people but she refused. Finally, they told her she couldn’t come back to the school till she got help. We took her to the hospital and they had her talk to a social worker. After a while, we got her to open up and help herself with the help of this social worker. With the help of family, friends, and this ONE social worker, the only one Nicole would talk to, she got the help she needed. The social worker also talked to some close friends and family. She explained to us our parts and roles in her life, illness, and her recovery. After the recovery and her being back in school, a few of us continue to still go see this social worker with Nicole. She is well recovered and living a great life, but she must still go see the social worker once a month for check ups.

What do you think about this??? What are some key points??? I feel very touchy with this, only because I have talked to both a clinical physiologist and a social worker due to people, I know, that have or had problems. Also, I feel grateful I got this topic so I can share it from my eyes rather than from someone who only knows what they have read. I wasn’t people to remember that these two people aren't the same but can be related. They are there to help but it is all up to the “ill” person in the end.

Summary!!! This section says that there are people to help you with many illnesses and such. They are trained professionals and they really do care. You can get better; don’t let anyone tell you different. They will help you and your family.