Social Work Terminology

Have you ever been curious about the terms social workers use among themselves? Of course you aren't. When you are forced to think of social workers at all (which is rare) you probably just shudder and thank the gods that you aren't one yourself.

Nonetheless, I decided to list some social worker terms for your amusement.

1. Directable- A client that is directable is a client who, when going off the rails, can be implored to stop going off the rails. A directable client can be bent to the social worker's will, which is to say, is able to respond to the social worker's requests.

"He will usually talk about his delusions about the Mafia persecuting him in group, but he's pretty directable and able to get back to the topic at hand with some prodding"

2. Hot Mess- A client who is currently exhibiting intense manifestations of their addiction/mental health symptoms/ unhealthy behaviors.

"I saw Ms. P at the bus stop today, trying to get money for crystal meth. Girlfriend was a hot mess."

3. Baseline- The normal functioning mode of a particular client. Functioning above one's baseline would indicate a possibility of progress and a glimmer of hope, functioning below one's baseline might be an indication that action needs to be taken.

Social worker 1 :"I saw Mr. Smith today on the floor of his room intoxicated, unable to stand, and ranting incoherently. Should I call an ambulance?"

Social worker 2 "Nah, that's pretty much his baseline".

4. Borderline/ AXIS 2- Axis 2 disorders, as categorized by the DSM (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders) are personality disorders. However, "borderline" or "axis 2" can be applied as social worker shorthand to any client with an ability to drive everyone around them nuts, especially if they have a penchant for doing so in a passive-aggressive manner.

Social Worker 1 "Carrie was in group today. She made two other participants cry, and got another one kicked out the program by inciting him to threaten violence"

Social Worker 2 , rolling eyes, "Man, she is soooooooo borderline. That girl is totally axis 2".

5. Population- The group of people the social worker serves, categorized by age, economic insecurity, common or similar dysfunction, disability, or any other identifier that may indicate the need for a social worker's help.

Social worker 1 "I am working with teenage pregnant gang members who are victims of domestic violence"

Social Worker 2, with empathy, " Wow, that's a tough population."

6. Chase Management - A play on the term 'case management', chase management is the exercise of trying to help a reluctant or evasive client.

"I've been playing chase management with that client for weeks. He never returns my calls"

7. Empowerment- A term that has been over-used by so many social workers for so many years, that social workers have become reluctant to utter it or occasionally threaten to puke if they ever have to hear it again. When it is uttered, it must be prefaced with an apology.

"I hate this over-used term, but I think it would be really empowering for our disabled clients if we helped them start their own small business."



Anyone else have a few to add to the list?