What is an AMHSW?

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) are recognised providers with Medicare Australia and other programs, delivering clinical social work services in mental health settings and utilising a range of evidence-based strategies.

AMHSWs work with people across the lifespan (including children, adults and older persons) and provide a unique contribution to the mental health space in their holistic approach to working with a person. The advanced training that is expected of AMHSW prepares and provides them with the skills for working with people with very complex presentations and co-morbidities. AMHSWs are highly trained and educated professionals, meeting some of the highest standards of professional regulation in Australia.

The Federal Government recognises the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as an assessing authority of specialist mental health expertise. AASW members may lodge an application with AASW for an assessment.

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers have a breadth of experience in assessing and treating people who have mental health disorders, for example people with:

  • Depression and other mood disorders

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Personality disorders

  • Psychosis

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • Relationship problems

  • Life crises

  • Adjustment issues

  • Trauma

  • Family conflicts

They help individuals to resolve presenting psychological problems, the associated social and other environmental problems, and improve their quality of life. This may involve family as well as individual counselling, and group therapy. Social workers recognise the broader implications of an individual having a mental illness and the impact on friends, family, work and education.

Like other allied health professionals, such as psychologists, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers use a range of interventions in helping people with mental health disorders, including the following focussed psychological strategies:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy

  • Behavioural interventions

  • Cognitive interventions

  • Relaxation strategies

  • Skills training

  • Problem solving

  • Anger management

  • Social skills

  • Stress management

  • Parenting skills

  • Interpersonal therapy

  • Psycho-education (including Motivational Interviewing)

  • Narrative therapy

Information supplied by the Australian Association of Social Workers