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CSWJ Forum: Is Clinical Social Work a Profession? Preliminary Considerations

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Abstract

Clinical social work, as it currently exists, is rooted in the formation of a professional association which represents the interests of professionals primarily concerned with direct practice. A diverse group of practitioners now describe themselves as “clinical social workers,” and clinical social work is increasingly being described as a “profession.” This article reviews the history of professions, and employs commonly accepted sociological criteria to begin to evaluate clinical social work's current standing as a profession.

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Phillips, D.G. CSWJ Forum: Is Clinical Social Work a Profession? Preliminary Considerations. Clinical Social Work Journal 28, 213–225 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005110502621

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005110502621

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