Each March annually in America is Social Work Month. Officially titled “National Professional Social Work Month”, this observance is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible work performed by social workers throughout the country each year.
For 2021, the official theme of Social Work Month is “Social Workers are Essential.” March will be a month where social work professionals, others in the professional field of behavioral health and mental health, and others who support social workers, can celebrate the contributions that social workers make in the lives of others, in families, and in local communities. Examples of this are helping individuals find solutions for their mental health, substance misuse, or behavioral health issues and difficulties, support individuals in overcoming past or current issues, aid people in reaching their full potential, and overall making people happiness, healthier, and better able to manage their mental and emotional states.
Some people may not know what a social worker is or what a social worker does. There are many different types of social workers and some focus on different types of people or different issues that people are experiencing than others. A basic overview, however, is that social work in a practice-based professional that promotes social change, development, cohesion and the empowerment of people and communities. Therefore, a social worker is a professional who aims to enhance overall well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of communities and people. Social work professionals work with many different populations and types of people, particularly focusing on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and/or living in poverty.
Here in Maryland, social work is a licensed profession that requires a master’s level education. Social workers are licensed by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. They are required to keep their license in good standing and receive continuing education credits in order to practice and treat patients or clients.
Here at Maryland Addiction Recovery Center, social workers are an integral part of our clinical team and our addiction treatment program. Making up the MARC staff are social workers Family Therapist Arielle Seidler, LCSW-C, Primary Therapists Corinne Burnett, LCSW-C, Kimberly Bonsiero, LCSW-C, and Intake Specialist Tim Holt, LMSW. MARC Community Outreach Specialist Caroline Farrell, LSW, is also a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania.
During National Social Work Month 2021, we want to acknowledge the incredibly difficult and important work that our MARC team of social workers does throughout the year, as well as celebrate the work of all social workers for the incredible impact they have on millions of people annually throughout America.
If you or someone you know needs help for addiction or co-occurring disorder issues, please give us a call. Maryland Addiction Recovery Center offers the most comprehensive dual diagnosis addiction treatment in the Mid-Atlantic area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or your loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a treatment center or provider that better fits your needs. Please give us a call at (410) 773-0500 or email our team at info@marylandaddictionrecovery.com. For more information on all of our drug addiction, alcohol addiction and co-occurring disorder services and recovery resources, please visit our website at www.marylandaddictionrecovery.com.