Practice Notes For Clinical Sports Social Worker

Abstract

Clinical social work in sport involves a coupling of the heart and mind. An unrelenting passion for helping people/systems, combined with an unquenchable desire to learn and ‘get better’. This is essential to truly becoming successful.  As a long time mental health provider and advocate in the field of mental health and athletics, the strength in my utility is established upon a solid foundation of theory and practice. Conceptualizing  the role of the clinical social worker is outlined in this paper, along with key considerations relative to practice and collaboration. Appreciating the complexity of the athletic system, the diverse backgrounds of the athletes/staff, power differentials, personal biases, ethical issues and an abiding awareness of the scope of ones clinical competence, are crucial to expert practice.