Advanced Clinical Competencies
2.1.1—Identify as a professional clinical social worker and conduct oneself
accordingly.
• advocate for client access to social work services within the context of the clinical
relationship
• demonstrate self-reflection through understanding and application of
transference/countertransference; demonstrate ability to monitor one’s responses to
clients’ presentation based on a clinical assessment of the client
• function within clearly-defined professional roles and boundaries based on the needs
of the client, the agency context, the type of service provided, and differential use of
self
• demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication
appropriate to the clinical relationship and setting
• engage in career-long learning by identifying areas for professional development and
seeking additional learning opportunities
• engage in supervision with increased initiative, independence, responsibility for
agenda, and awareness of professional strengths and limitations
• follow safety protocols and procedures of the agency
2.1.2—Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
• integrate personal with professional values to appropriately guide clinical practice
• take action to resolve complex ethical conflicts in clinical practice while acknowledging
ambiguity
• apply strategies of ethical reasoning related to clinical practice to arrive at principled
decisions using consultation appropriately
 develop professional relationships that do not misuse the power differential
between client and worker
2.1.3—Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional
judgments.
• identify, evaluate and integrate multiple sources of knowledge (e.g., clinical theory,
evidenced based practices and practice wisdom)
• recognize underlying values, biases and assumptions in oneself, other people and in
sources of knowledge
• apply critical analysis to models of clinical prevention, assessment, prevention,
intervention, and evaluation
• demonstrate communication
o in writing (client records, reports, group curricula)
o verbally (team meetings, case conferences, communication with collaterals)
o electronically (record keeping, e-mails)
2.1.4—Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• recognize how culture may oppress, marginalize, or create privilege and power which
may be replicated in the clinical relationship and practice
• develop culturally sensitive and relevant clinical skills that integrate self awareness
with knowledge from clients and other sources
• develop relationships based on understanding how culture shapes life experiences and
impacts clinical work
2.1.5—Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
• engage in clinical practice that advances human rights and social and economic justice
 use knowledge of the effects of oppression, discrimination and historical trauma on
clients to guide clinical goals and interventions
 advocate for reduction of service disparities relevant to the context of their clinical
practice
2.1.6—Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
• use an evidenced based process to identify effective clinical interventions for
particular populations, problems and settings
 where possible, apply practice experience to the development of new knowledge
through participation in research
 use research methodology to evaluate clinical practice effectiveness and/or
outcomes
2.1.7—Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment (HBSE).
• critique and differentially apply HBSE theories (e.g., strengths, ecological, cognitivebehavioral, interpersonal, family systems, life-span development, psychodynamic) to
guide clinical prevention, assessment, intervention, and evaluation
 utilize knowledge of multi-axial diagnostic classifications, neuroscience and
medications (psychotropic and other) in clinical practice appropriate to the context
2.1.8—Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and
to deliver effective social work services.
• analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies (e.g., agency, program, legislative) that
advance social well-being for individuals and families
• collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action that promotes social
and economic justice
2.1.9—Respond to contexts that shape practice.
• provide relevant services based on changes within communities and populations,
scientific and technological developments, and emerging societal trends
• provide leadership consistent with student’s role to promote changes in service
delivery
2.1.10(a)–(d)—Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families,
groups, organizations, and communities.
(a)—Engagement
 develop relationships with clients that are professional, purposeful, and
differentiated characterized by clear boundaries
 develop relationships that are culturally appropriate
 encourage clients to be equal partners in the establishment of treatment goals and
methods
 utilize a range of skills to facilitate engagement
(b)—Assessment
 clarify the client’s request for help, readiness for change and presenting problem
 gather and organize appropriate information from a variety of sources to create a
multidimensional biopsychosocial assessment
 formulate an understanding of the client including precipitants to the presenting problem,
interpersonal dynamics and historically relevant events
 when appropriate, utilize this formulation to aid in diagnosis
 collaborate with the client to define goals within the context of the agency’s services
 routinely write biopsychosocial assessments in agency format
(c)—Intervention
 initiate and implement treatment plans and contracts with the client to meet goals,
based on appropriate theory and research evidence
 document as required in agency record
 utilize clinical frameworks and treatment protocols appropriately
 appropriately facilitate termination and/or referral for continued service
 collaborate with other professionals to coordinate interventions
(d)—Evaluation
 evaluate client progress and intervention effectiveness (e.g., client self-assessment
and satisfaction, collateral reports, behavioral outcome measures)
 document the client’s progress in agency records as required