r/SchoolSocialWork

Hello! I landed my first school counseling job. I will be the 9th grade school counselor (our high school is 9-12). The role combines school adjustment/social work counseling and school counseling (they are separate licenses in Massachusetts). Please give me all of your tips, tricks, and suggestions for my first year! If you've got any specific to 9th graders/newbies to high school that would be amazing! Any lists, forms, or organization for note-taking that has been helpful? I'm having a hard time visualizing what my first day(s) should look like and what to do in advance. My grad program was great, but I'd love to hear from others with actual field experience. I truly appreciate any advice received! TIA!

Hi all, I got a new job as a school social worker for kids ages k-12! I was wondering if you all had any recommendations and tips to keep kiddos of all age groups engaged virtually and or any other school social worker tips would be appreciated!

Hi everyone! I’m a brand new school psychologist looking to build my office space to be a warm, welcoming, and calming place for students to feel comfortable. Any help is appreciated!

I am curious to know how many of you were hired by a school while still obtaining/ pursing your PPSC? I am an LCSW who is going to school for it next month and am having a lot of push back from jobs about when I will be recommend for the PPSC once courses are done (in August). I am in CA for context. Also, a lot of these employers for school social worker want you to at least be pursing your licensure as well. I already have my LCSW, but I am told that the PPSC is preferred and required for these positions. Which I understand, I just don’t get why the reluctance to hire and let someone obtain the PPSC hours needed.

i’ve been looking more seriously into social work licensing lately, and I’m curious how much of a difference clinical licensure actually makes in practice

from what I’m seeing, LCSW/clinical licensure can open doors that are harder to access without it, private practice, insurance reimbursement, clinical supervision, telehealth, consulting, more independent roles, etc. It also seems like it can give people more control over their career path

but the process is a lot, supervision hours, exam prep, fees, time, stress, and sometimes paying for extra support or study materials... so I’m wondering how the roi has actually played out for people already in the field.

so to anyone here that's clinically licensed:

• how did licensure noticeably increase your salary?
• how did it change the types of jobs you were eligible for?
• Did it improve your flexibility or work-life balance?
• Was the time and financial investment worth it?
• Anything you wish you knew before starting the process?

just trying to understand whether the payoff is as significant as it looks on paper or whether it depends heavily on location, specialty, and career goals

I (25F) have my MSW (master of social work) degree, that im not using right now as I am in the federal government in essentially a boring data entry role. I have always envisioned myself working within schools, as both my placements were in schools except more in like a supporting the resource teacher capacity.

Anyway, I am having a slight quarter life crisis and realizing even though my goal has always to be a school social worker, I may never get all the qualifications they ask for (which involves 5+ years of counselling and crisis work) and I also am not sure if I even want to still do this.

I also noticed that teachers college is shifting to a 1 year program which is enticing, so I am debating switching gears and becoming a teacher, however I don't really have an interest in actual "teaching" and more so working in resource and one-on-one mainly with students.

Basically im wondering if anyone has started out in either of these professions and wishes they switched or is happy they didn't, or would caution against one or the other.

Thanks!

Hi everyone. I have 7 years of experience as a Social Psychologist and recently designed SEL posters for calm down corners and emotional regulation support. Things like How Big Is My Problem, Grounding Techniques, and Feelings Charts.

Happy to share free copies with anyone who wants them. Just DM me and I'll send a link. No catch, just want honest feedback from people who actually do this work.

I’ve applied to several SSW jobs and have only landed one interview. I had my interview last week, was told they’d be making decisions early this week, and I haven’t heard anything. Has anyone else experienced this? I’m feeling so discouraged. I have 2 years of experience as a children’s therapist and am working on my SSW courses… Am I just not qualified enough? TIA

Hi,
My name is Cielo. I am a current Social work major. I am looking for a social worker to interview. If anyone is available to do a zoom, call or I can send you the questions and you can send them back to me! Let me know if anyone is available to do this!
Thank you!

I’m trying to develop a plan for expressions of suicidality in kindergarten age students. I know the risk is low, but it feels important to have a plan. Does anyone have any screenings or protocols you recommend for this age group (5-6)? Maybe the move is to do a depression screening? Thanks!

Hello. I’m a first year MSW student. I’m applying for internships and recently was offered one at Quail Run behavioral health for clinical services. I’m worried this will imply I’ll be doing therapy and I don’t feel ready for that right now since this is my first year.
Has anyone done their internship at quail run? Im Phoenix az.
Thank you!