Social professions
Social Work
What is Social Work?
- What is Social Work for?
- Help in social emergencies and referral to the right services
- Is Social Work legally regulated?
- Professional field with academic training (university of applied sciences degree in Social Work), employed by public and social organisations.
- Does Social Work treat illnesses?
- No, social support, not treatment
Social work supports people in difficult life situations, for example with livelihood worries, housing need, public authorities, addiction or family crises. The focus is concrete help and connecting people with the right services.
Social workers usually hold a degree in Social Work from a university of applied sciences. They work in counselling centres, public offices, hospitals and social organisations.
For emotional strain, social work matters where practical problems form the ground. It does not treat mental illness but can connect you with the right help.
What is allowed
- Support with livelihood, housing, authorities and crises
- Clarify entitlements and refer to the right services
- Accompany people in difficult life situations
Where are the limits?
- No treatment of mental illness
- No diagnosis, no therapy
- Refers to therapy or medicine when clinical relevance appears
How to recognise quality
- Relevant degree in Social Work
- Attachment to a recognised institution or authority
- Confidentiality
- Refers to suitable services for emotional distress
How it works
- Contactdescribe your concern
- Clarificationsituation and needs
- Supportconcrete steps and applications
- Networkingreferral to further help
Costs & insurance
Public and social organisationsusually free
Counselling centresoften free and anonymous
Insurancenot billed via insurance