Social Workers in North Carolina

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Learn more about Social Workers and how to choose the right one for you

A social worker specializes in helping individuals, couples, families and groups tackle many kinds of problems and situations. Social workers work within the context of a person’s environment and life situation. They help people cope with and overcome the challenges of psychological problems, serious illnesses, social and economic problems, life crises and transitions, and difficulties in school, work and relationships. 

There are two general types of social workers, direct-service social workers and clinical social workers. Clinical social workers are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. A clinical social worker is also known as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

In contrast, direct-service social workers do not diagnose or treat disorders, but work to help people with an illness or otherwise difficult situation cope and achieve their goals. Direct-service social workers identify a client’s needs, strengths, goals and challenges; make plans to help a client improve coping skills and quality of life; and follow up with clients to assess their progress and the effectiveness of plans. A direct-service social worker may be known as a licensed social worker (LSW) in states that require licensure.

The practice of a social worker varies depending on if he or she is a direct-service social worker or a clinical social worker, his or her education and specialty, and the type of setting and client. In general, a social worker may:

  • Assess a client’s needs, challenges, support systems, and resources

  • Identify or diagnose mental and emotional disorders and life challenges. A LCSW diagnoses and treats mental, emotional and behavioral disorders with therapy.

  • Develop treatment or action plans to help clients, and re-evaluate and modify plans as needed

  • Help a client access needed resources and organizations

  • Advocate for a client

  • Provide individual, group, family, and couples or marriage counseling

  • Teach and support strategies for behavior changes, coping skills, and therapeutic techniques, such as breathing techniques and the use of visual imagery

  • Collaborate, refer and consult with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, teachers and psychologists

  • Maintain strict patient confidentiality, unless patients are at risk of hurting themselves or others or the provider has a legal obligation to share information

  • Commit patients involuntarily in emergency situations

Social workers may also be known by the following names: direct-service social worker, licensed social worker (LSW), clinical social worker, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), child social worker, therapist, or counselor.

There are 8550 specialists practicing Social Work in North Carolina with an overall average rating of 4.1 stars. There are 18 hospitals in North Carolina with affiliated Social Work specialists, including Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority and Duke University Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find a top-rated Social Worker in NC?

Healthgrades gives you the tools and information you need to find high-quality care, including top-rated Social Workers in NC. You can filter your search results to a specific Rating threshold, or go to “Top Rated” to quickly view Social Workers with our highest patient ratings.

Every Healthgrades profile includes information about the factors that matter most when choosing care, including a Social Worker's education, board certification, and experience. You can even see which specific conditions a doctor treats most often.

Healthgrades also spotlights high-quality healthcare professionals by identifying them as “Healthgrades Choice.” This badge indicates that a physician has above average experience, good patient ratings, no healthcare sanctions, and affiliations with quality hospitals.

Finally, you can read reviews and ratings from verified patients about their experiences with a doctor.

Together, all of these factors provide a comprehensive picture of Social Workers in NC so you can make an informed, confident decision about the care you receive.

How can I share my experience after visiting a Social Worker through Healthgrades?

Patient ratings and reviews are an important tool in helping other people like yourself make informed healthcare choices. If you read patient reviews as part of your decision-making process, you can pay it forward by sharing your own experience with a Social Worker.

After your visit, you can visit your Social Worker's profile and go to “Leave a Review.” From here you will be required to provide a star rating from 1 to 5 to reflect how likely you are to recommend that doctor. You can also leave an optional text review about your experience.

You will be required to submit your email address so Healthgrades can confirm your review, and you must verify that you received treatment from the physician and agree to Healthgrades terms and conditions.

How can I find a Social Worker in NC who speaks a specific language other than English?

Finding a Social Worker in NC with whom you can communicate effectively is an essential part of finding quality care. You can go to “All Filters” on your Healthgrades search results and scroll to “Language.” From there, you narrow your search to physicians who speak your selected language(s).

Healthgrades lets you filter by more than 100 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Hindu, Urdu, Tagalog, and American Sign Language.

How can I find Social Workers within a specific distance from my location?

Go to “Distance” on your Healthgrades search results page and select the distance range you would be willing to travel for your visit, such as 1 mile, 5 miles, 10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles, or nationwide.

You can also go to “Top Rated” to quickly view a list of 4-star and above-rated Social Workers within 10 miles of your selected location.

Keep in mind: The right specialist for you may not be among the ones closest to you, and it may be worth expanding your search to find the highest-quality care.

How can I search for Social Workers in NC specializing in a specific sub-specialty or niche area?

After your initial specialty search, Healthgrades allows you to narrow your search to specific conditions or practicing areas within that specialty.

On your Healthgrades search results page, go to “Practice Area.” From here you can select specific conditions or subspecialties that more directly reflect the type of care you need.

How can I find Social Workers in NC with availability that aligns with my schedule?

You can filter your Healthgrades search results based on appointment availability, including options such as same-day, tomorrow, or within 2 weeks. Under “All Filters,” scroll to “Availability” and select the appointment timeframe you need.

You can also contact a Social Worker's office directly to ask about appointment availability, including same-day availability or unexpected cancellations that may have opened up new appointments in your desired timeframe.

How can I locate Social Workers in NC affiliated with a specific facility or hospital?

Finding a Social Worker in NC with affiliations at high-quality hospitals is a key factor in a successful treatment outcome. Healthgrades lets you filter your search to doctors who have admitting privileges at the hospital(s) you prefer.

Go to “All Filters” on your Healthgrades search results, then scroll to “Affiliated Facility.” From here you can select one or more preferred hospitals to narrow your search to specialists with affiliations at those facilities.

How can I find Social Workers in NC who offer LGBTQ+ affirming care on Healthgrades?

Finding a Social Worker in NC who affirms your identity is an essential part of a successful healthcare partnership. For people who identify as LGBTQ+, you can filter your Healthgrades search results to physicians who designate themselves as LGBTQ+ affirming.

Go to “All Filters” in your search results, then scroll down and select “LGBTQ+ affirming.”

Is it possible to filter Social Workers in NC based on their age on Healthgrades?

Some people feel more comfortable seeing a Social Worker in a specific age range. You can filter your Healthgrades search results by going to “All Filters,” and then scrolling down to “Healthcare Professional’s Age.” From here, you can select age ranges from under 40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, or over 70 years old.

How can I use the 'Background Check' feature to verify if a Social Worker has any malpractice claims in NC?

All Healthgrades profiles include a medical license public record check, which tells you about any previous malpractice claims a Social Worker has on record in NC.

How do Social Workers in NC stay updated on the latest advancements and treatments in cardiovascular medicine?

Social Workers have a variety of ways they stay current on the latest treatments and research within their specialty. These include subscribing to medical journals that publish peer-reviewed studies, attending in-person seminars or online webinars, or earning Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits to maintain their medical license.

During your appointment, ask your doctor or other healthcare professional about the ways they stay up-to-date about new treatments and how their learnings may affect your treatment options.

How do Social Workers in NC collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive patient care?

Depending on your diagnosis and treatment plan, you may have a team of healthcare professionals working together to provide quality care.

In addition to your primary care physician and Social Worker, you may consult with other specialists, physical therapists, speech therapists, nutritionists, psychologists, physician's assistants, and nurses, among many others. Together, your care team can address all facets of your care and collaborate on the most effective treatment plan for you.

How do Social Workers in NC personalize treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each patient?

Your Social Worker in NC will determine your individual treatment plan based on factors including your medical history, family history, lifestyle, cultural considerations, and personal preferences. Through honest communication, you and your doctor can work together to build a treatment plan that is tailored to you.

How do Social Workers in NC approach holistic care, considering factors beyond just medical treatment?

In additional to your medical care, you may wish for your treatment plan to include complementary therapies that serve your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These may include wellness practices such as acupuncture, massage, or yoga. You may seek mental health support through counselors, psychologists, and support groups. You might also find comfort in spiritual support from faith leaders and communities. Talk with your specialist about the types of therapies that will provide holistic benefits, and ask about any precautions to take to avoid potential interactions with your medical treatment.

How do Social Workers in NC prioritize patient safety and infection control measures in their practice?

Patient safety, including prevention of healthcare-associated infections, is a priority of all healthcare professionals. Both within physician practices and in hospital settings, team members take precautions to protect patients' health and safety during their care. This includes thorough handwashing, sterilization of equipment, and routine cleaning of rooms and facilities.

The quality ratings of a physician's associated hospitals can also indicate a hospital's record for patient safety. A hospital with fewer healthcare-associated infections is likely to have better procedure outcomes, which will be reflected in higher quality ratings.

What resources are available to support patients in navigating insurance coverage and financial assistance with Social Workers in NC?

Your Social Worker's office can provide information about financial assistance, which may be referred to as charity care. Some doctor's offices also offer payment plans that allow you to pay your bill over a certain period of time.

If you need to receive care at a hospital, you may qualify for financial assistance through that hospital. If you receive care at a nonprofilt hospital, you must be offered financial assistance if you cannot afford to pay. If you participate in a government program, such as Medicaid or Medicare, those programs' websites can offer guidance about coverage for the care you need.

Your hospital may also have a patient advocate on staff who can help guide you through your coverage or your financial assistance options. You can also find a your own guide through the Patient Advocate Foundation.

How do Social Workers in NC contribute to ongoing medical research and advancements in their field?

In addition to offering clincal care, many Social Workers work outside of their practice in a variety of areas, including research, clinical trials, academic collaborations, or professional organizations. Through this work, Social Workers can share their own research, learn about treatment advances, and bring innovative new therapies to their practices.

How do Social Workers in NC accommodate patients with disabilities or special needs in their practice?

All patients have a right to accessible and equitable care, including those with disabilities or special needs. Healthcare facilities must adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and offer a range of accommodations to ensure accessibility. These may include structural features, such as ramps or wide entrances; language services, such as translators or sign language interpreters; accessible signage for people with impaired vision; or exam rooms and medical equipment that can be used by people with mobility aids.

What measures do Social Workers in NC take to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality in their practice?

Patient data protection and privacy rights are a top priority for all healthcare practices. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires healthcare professionals to follow established safeguards to protect private health information and imposes penalties for those who violate privacy rights. HIPAA also allows patients to understand exactly how their health information is used and decide with whom it may be shared.

Healthcare systems also have rigorous digital security protocols to protect electronic health records, and any staff members with access to health information receive training on privacy practices to maintain patient trust and confidentiality.