JTUS, Vol. 02, No. 2 February 2024 110

JTUS, Vol. 02, No. 2 February 2024

E-ISSN: 2984-7435, P-ISSN: 2984-7427

A Study on Psychiatric Social Worker and Child Guidance Clinic

Bhavya. P, Somashekar

JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science, India

Email: bhavya.p[email protected], mswsomashekar@gmail.com

Abstract

This study delves into the role of psychiatric social workers in treating children facing social,

mental, and environmental challenges, commonly addressed in child guidance. These

professionals are trained to address a diverse array of issues stemming from children's various

backgrounds. The study explores the expansive scope of responsibilities within child guidance,

spanning mental hospitals and local health sectors. In India, numerous child guidance clinics

cater to children's mental health needs, where psychiatric social workers engage in both

theoretical and clinical practices. This research-based paper investigates the problem-solving

approaches of psychiatric social workers in hospital settings concerning children's behavioral

and mental health issues, which often pose challenges for parents, families, and society.

keywords: Psychiatric Social Worker, Child Guidance Clinic, Mental health

INTRODUCTION

The clinic is worried about removing the psychological and environmental problems of the

children and the social worker has been working with children to address the children's behavioral

and psychological problems (Monds-Watson et al., 2010). Social workers work in hospitals,

outpatient and community psychiatric social workers assess the psycho-social functioning of

patients and families and interfere with necessary needs, and provide psycho-therapy and

supportive consoling (Lorant et al., 2016). Social workers are most trained and practice

professional work with individuals and families to help improve results in their lives working to

improve the quality of life and wealth of others (Thompson, 2024). Eg. Problem solving, practice

crisis intervention, policy change, recreation and educational program.

Psychiatric social work is the implementation and practice of social work in a psychiatric

setting, psychiatric social work is a specialized type of medical social work that involves

supporting, providing, therapy to co-operation and coordinating the care of people who are

critically mentally ill and who require hospitalization or other types of intensive psychiatric help

(Bland et al., 2021). A child guidance clinic is one of the medico-social amenities and may be best

defined as a Centre for the organized and scientific study and treatment of maladjustment in

children.

METHODS

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The respondents for this study include Psychiatric social worker, from the KR Hospital

Mysore and another Social Work Students Participated. The purpose of the study is together

information on Psychiatric Social Worker and Child Guidance Clinic. Pathak et al., (2013) This

research is based on qualitative research where the researcher has prepared a self-constructed

questionnaire on Google form to find out the various parameters of “A Study on Psychiatric Social

Worker and Child Guidance Clinic. The questionnaire consists of seven statements that have

multiple choice (Sirota & Juanchich, 2018). The respondents had to fill the one multiple-choice

option in Google form.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The researcher has ten years of experience in teaching at Chamarajanagara University,

Suvarnagangotri Chamarajanagara. This experience created many questions about the present

Psychiatri Social Worker and Social Worker participants. Therefore, the aim of conducting this

study is to gain knowledge of Psychiatric Social Worker and Child Guidance Clinic

1. Age

2. Gender

3. Occupation

4. Education Background

1. What improvement or Changes would you like to see in the Child Guidance Clinic to better

support children’s mental health?

Table 1. Improvement or Changes Would You Like to See in the Child Guidance Clinic

To Better Support Children’s Mental Health

SL.NO

Opinion

Respondent

Increased access

Early intervention programs

13.33

Integrated care

16.66

Family involvement

Total

100

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112 JTUS, Vol. 02, No. 2 February 2024

The data provided presents opinions from respondents regarding improvements or changes

they would like to see in child guidance clinics to better support children's mental health

(Marcdante et al., 2021). Here's a breakdown of the data interpretation and analysis:

a. Increased Access (10%): A minority of respondents (3 out of 30) indicated that they would like

to see increased access to child guidance clinics. This suggests that there may be some

awareness of issues related to accessibility and the need for more widespread availability of

mental health services for children.

b. Early Intervention Programme (13.33%): A slightly larger portion of respondents (4 out of 30)

desired early intervention programs. This indicates recognition of the importance of addressing

mental health issues in children at an early stage to prevent further escalation and promote

better outcomes.

c. Integrated Care (16.66%): A moderate number of respondents (5 out of 30) emphasized the

importance of integrated care within child guidance clinics. This suggests an awareness of the

need for collaboration between different healthcare providers to ensure holistic support for

children's mental health needs.

d. Family Involvement (60%): The majority of respondents (18 out of 30) highlighted the

significance of family involvement in child guidance clinics. This indicates a strong consensus

among respondents regarding the importance of engaging families in the treatment process

to better support children's mental health.

The objectives of a study on psychiatric social workers and child guidance clinics:

1. Assessing the Role of Psychiatric Social Workers:

To examine the roles and responsibilities of psychiatric social workers within child

guidance clinics (Alt, 1951), including their contributions to assessment, intervention, and

ongoing support for children's mental health.

2. Understanding Treatment Approaches:

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To explore the various treatment modalities employed by psychiatric social workers in

child guidance clinics, including therapeutic techniques, counseling methods, and

collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

3. Evaluating Clinic Effectiveness:

To evaluate the effectiveness of child guidance clinics in addressing the social, mental,

and environmental needs of children, as well as their impact on children's well-being,

functioning, and overall outcomes.

4. Identifying Challenges and Barriers:

To identify the challenges and barriers faced by psychiatric social workers in providing

mental health services to children within child guidance clinics, including limitations in

resources, systemic issues, and cultural factors.

5. Examining Collaborative Practices:

To examine the collaborative practices and partnerships established by child guidance

clinics, including interactions with families, schools, community organizations, and other

healthcare providers, to support holistic care for children.

6. Exploring Opportunities for Improvement:

To explore opportunities for improvement and innovation in child guidance clinic

services, including suggestions for enhancing access, cultural competence, early intervention,

family involvement, and integration with other healthcare systems.

7. Investigating Professional Development Needs:

To investigate the professional development needs of psychiatric social workers working

in child guidance clinics, including training requirements, skill development, and ongoing

support to enhance their effectiveness in practice.

8. Informing Policy and Practice:

To inform policy and practice recommendations aimed at improving the quality,

accessibility, and effectiveness of child guidance clinic services, based on research findings and

stakeholder input.

Scope of psychiatric social work:

The scope of psychiatric social work is wider and broader Gould, (2022), psychiatric social

workers can work as following bellows :

a. Case managers in non-government organizations and projects.

b. Education and research activities.

c. Rehabilitators in medical and psychiatric settings.

d. Work in delicate psychiatric hospitals.

e. Mental health counselings and case work.

f. Community mental health – PHCS and CHCs

g. Multidisciplinary area.

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114 JTUS, Vol. 02, No. 2 February 2024

h. Correctional institutions like prisons and juvenile homes

i. Crisis intervention Centre and also disaster management (Fisher et al., 2021).

Functions of Psychiatric Social Worker:

a. Psychiatric social worker helps mental health patients in a similar way through counseling and

psychiatric work.

b. Psychiatric social workers' main work is to assess patients and develop specific plans, care, and

protection of patients.

c. They also provide therapy or counseling practice to patients as well as help family members to

deal with mental illness, Mental retardation in the family.

d. Psychiatric social workers generally interview with admitted patients members of their families

agency staff and others and through security investigations, the range of services needed by

residents and their families.

e. Planning, and development of a social plan of care for each resident and his/her family which

may include direct counseling, treatment provided by other agency support services, and/or

referral to their agencies.

f. Provide individual and group therapy sessions: instructs and direct other agency support staff

in therapeutic techniques

g. Arrangement for services from different agencies.

h. Reviews resident and family social situations as necessary and modifies social plan of care as

indicated.

i. Explain the scope of services to the resident and family as is appropriate.

j. Provide crisis intervention services.

k. Main training case records and preparing reports.

l. Facilitates development of interdisciplinary active treatment, Counselling goads, arranges

interdisciplinary reviews of active treatment plan periodically.

The historical development of a study on psychiatric social workers and child guidance

clinics.

Early Beginnings:

The origins of psychiatric social work can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th

centuries, with the emergence of social work as a profession dedicated to addressing social and

mental health issues (Payne, 2020). Early pioneers, such as Mary Ellen Richmond and Jane Addams,

laid the groundwork for the integration of social work principles into mental health practice.

1. Establishment of Child Guidance Clinics:

The concept of child guidance clinics began to gain momentum in the early 20th century,

influenced by the recognition of the importance of early intervention in addressing children's

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mental health issues. The first child guidance clinics were established in urban areas, aiming to

provide comprehensive assessment, treatment, and support services for children and families.

2. Development of Psychiatric Social Work:

As child guidance clinics evolved, so too did the role of psychiatric social workers within

these settings. Psychiatric social workers played a vital role in conducting assessments,

providing therapeutic interventions, and advocating for the needs of children and families

within the clinic and the broader community.

3. Expansion of Services:

Over time, child guidance clinics expanded their services to meet the growing demand

for children's mental health support. This expansion included the development of specialized

programs for specific populations, such as children with developmental disabilities, trauma

survivors, and adolescents with substance abuse issues.

4. Integration of Research and Practice:

The integration of research into psychiatric social work practice became increasingly

important in informing evidence-based interventions and improving outcomes for children and

families. Research studies conducted within child guidance clinics helped to identify effective

treatment approaches, evaluate program effectiveness, and advance knowledge in the field of

child mental health.

5. Advocacy and Policy Initiatives:

Psychiatric social workers working within child guidance clinics played a key role in

advocating for policy changes and reforms to better support children's mental health needs.

This advocacy included efforts to increase funding for mental health services, expand access to

care, and promote the integration of mental health into broader health and social service

systems.

6. Current Trends and Challenges:

Today, child guidance clinics continue to play a vital role in addressing children's mental

health needs, although they face various challenges, including funding constraints, workforce

shortages, and disparities in access to care. Psychiatric social workers remain at the forefront

of efforts to innovate and improve services within child guidance clinics, adapting to changing

social, cultural, and economic dynamics to better meet the needs of children and families.

The aims of the study:

Psychiatric social workers and child guidance clinics include assessing the effectiveness of

interventions provided by psychiatric social workers within child guidance clinics, understanding

their roles in multidisciplinary teams, and identifying areas for improvement in services provided

to children and families (Webb, 2019). Suggestions for a study on psychiatric social workers and

child guidance clinics (Sukmana, 2022):

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116 JTUS, Vol. 02, No. 2 February 2024

1. Comparative Analysis:

Compare the roles, responsibilities, and practices of psychiatric social workers in different

child guidance clinics, examining variations in approaches, service delivery models, and

outcomes.

2. Client Perspectives:

Investigate the experiences and perspectives of children and families receiving services

from psychiatric social workers in child guidance clinics, exploring their satisfaction levels,

perceived benefits, and suggestions for improvement.

3. Effectiveness of Interventions:

Evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions delivered by psychiatric social workers

within child guidance clinics, using quantitative and qualitative methods to assess outcomes

related to symptom reduction, functional improvement, and overall well-being.

4. Collaborative Practices:

Explore the collaborative practices and partnerships established by psychiatric social

workers within child guidance clinics, examining interactions with other healthcare providers,

educators, community organizations, and social service agencies to support comprehensive

care for children and families.

5. Training and Professional Development:

Assess the training needs and professional development opportunities for psychiatric

social workers working in child guidance clinics, identifying gaps in knowledge, skills, and

competencies and proposing recommendations for enhancing training programs and

continuing education initiatives.

6. Cultural Competence:

Examine the cultural competence of psychiatric social workers in child guidance clinics,

exploring their awareness, knowledge, and skills in working with diverse populations and

addressing cultural factors that influence help-seeking behaviors, treatment engagement, and

outcomes.

7. Integration of Technology:

Investigate the integration of technology into psychiatric social work practice within child

guidance clinics, exploring the use of health, digital tools, and mobile applications to enhance

access, engagement, and effectiveness of services for children and families.

8. Policy and Advocacy:

Analyze the policy landscape and advocacy efforts related to children's mental health

and social services, assessing the impact of legislative changes, funding allocations, and

systemic reforms on the delivery of care within child guidance clinics and the role of psychiatric

social workers in shaping policy agendas and advancing social justice initiatives (Saggaf et al.,

2018).

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9. Longitudinal Studies:

Conduct longitudinal studies to track the trajectories of children and families served by

psychiatric social workers in child guidance clinics over time, examining patterns of service

utilization, treatment outcomes, and factors influencing resilience, recovery, and relapse

prevention.

10. Innovative Approaches:

Explore innovative approaches to psychiatric social work practice within child guidance

clinics, such as peer support programs, art therapy interventions, mindfulness-based

techniques, or community-based initiatives, assessing their feasibility, acceptability, and

effectiveness in addressing emerging challenges and meeting evolving needs in children's

mental health care (Walker, 2011).

CONCLUSION

This study sheds light on the critical role of psychiatric social workers within child guidance

clinics, highlighting their contributions to the assessment, treatment, and support of children's

mental health needs. Through an exploration of their roles, practices, challenges, and

opportunities for improvement, this study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics

of child guidance clinics and the evolving landscape of mental health services for children and

families. By identifying areas for enhancement in services, collaboration, and professional

development, this study contributes to the ongoing efforts to optimize the effectiveness and

accessibility of child guidance clinic services, ultimately aiming to improve the well-being and

outcomes of children and families facing mental health challenges.

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Bhavya.P, Somashekar (2024)

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