Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

Which of the following distinguishes clinical social work from psychiatry?

1. The provision of therapy sessions

2. The ability to prescribe medications

3. The focus on insurance reimbursement

4. The creation of treatment plans

The correct answer is: The ability to prescribe medications

The distinction between clinical social work and psychiatry primarily lies in the ability to prescribe medications. Psychiatry is a branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders, and psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed medical school, allowing them to prescribe medications as part of their treatment interventions. On the other hand, clinical social workers are trained to provide therapeutic support and can conduct therapy sessions, develop treatment plans, and navigate insurance reimbursement processes. However, they do not have the legal authority to prescribe medications. This difference highlights the unique roles each profession plays within the mental health field, emphasizing the collaborative approach to patient care where both professions can work together, albeit with different scopes of practice.