* DISCLAIMER: Below is information on what social workers are capable of doing within a mental health context. This is not a list of services that Launceston Therapy Collective provide. *
In Australia, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) play a crucial role in the mental health sector by providing professional therapeutic services, advocacy, and support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. They are recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and meet rigorous requirements for mental health expertise.
What AMHSWs can offer:
Assessment & Diagnosis Support
Conduct psychosocial assessments to understand a client’s mental health, social situation, and overall well-being.
Identify risk factors and contribute to mental health care plans in collaboration with GPs, psychiatrists and other health professionals.
Psychological Therapies & Interventions
Provide evidence-based therapies such as:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Trauma-informed therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Schema Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Work with individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Medicare Rebate Services
Eligible to provide services under the Medicare Better Access Initiative, meaning clients can receive Medicare rebates for mental health care.
Work with NDIS participants and provide services through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme).
Providing therapeutic options to Open Arms Veterans and Family Counselling
Crisis Support & Suicide Prevention
Assist individuals experiencing acute mental health crises.
Work within private practice, hospital settings, community mental health teams, and suicide prevention programs.
Holistic & Social Determinants Approach
Unlike psychologists or psychiatrists, social workers consider broader social, cultural, environmental, and economic factors that impact mental health.
Address issues such as domestic violence, homelessness, unemployment, and systemic discrimination, within the context of someone’s mental health journey.
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) in Australia are well-suited to support a wide range of clients experiencing mental health challenges. Their expertise makes them particularly beneficial for individuals who need both psychological support and assistance with broader social and environmental factors that impact mental health well-being.
Clients best suited for an AMHSW
1. Individuals with Mental Health Conditions
AMHSWs work with clients experiencing mild, moderate, or severe mental health conditions, including:
Anxiety disorders (e.g., Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety)
Depression & mood disorders (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & complex trauma
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Personality disorders (e.g., Borderline Personality Disorder)
Psychotic disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia)
2. People Facing Life Transitions & Stress
Divorce, separation, or family breakdown
Work-related stress or burnout
Grief and loss
Adjusting to chronic illness or disability
Pain management
3. Children & Adolescents
Emotional and behavioural challenges
School refusal or academic stress
Bullying and peer-related issues
Trauma and abuse recovery
4. Individuals with Trauma & Abuse Histories
Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or childhood trauma
Victims of crime or other traumatic experiences
Refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced displacement and trauma
5. People with Suicidal Thoughts or Self-Harm Behaviours
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention
Support for self-harm recovery
Risk assessment and safety planning
6. Individuals with Substance Use & Addiction Issues
Support for people struggling with drug, alcohol, or behavioural addictions
Dual-diagnosis clients (mental health & addiction combined)
7. Families & Carers
Support for parents struggling with postnatal depression
Families affected by mental illness
Carers looking after individuals with disability or mental health conditions
8. People Facing Social Disadvantage
Homelessness or housing insecurity
Unemployment and financial hardship
Domestic and family violence survivors
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients dealing with intergenerational trauma
Where do AMHSWs work?
Private practice
Public and private hospitals
Community mental health services
Schools and universities
Correctional facilities
Aged care and disability services
Non-profit organisations
