Social Worker

Short Description

The social worker supports your mental health, caregiver plan, work/benefits paperwork, and practical hurdles so recovery and follow-up stay on track.

Main Priorities

• Build a realistic caregiver plan (rides, home help, backups, respite options).
• Guide work, school, and benefits paperwork (FMLA, disability, return-to-work notes).
• Connect you to resources for transportation, lodging, medication costs, and community support.
• Assess stress, anxiety, mood changes, sleep, and coping; arrange counseling referrals when needed.
• Problem-solve barriers to adherence (childcare, schedules, housing/food insecurity).

Issues They Work With

• Overwhelm, worry, low mood, or steroid-related mood shifts.
• Caregiver fatigue, family strain, or limited support at home.
• Paperwork deadlines, employer communication, or school accommodations.
• Financial stress affecting meds, labs, or visits; transportation/childcare gaps.
• Substance use concerns; linkage to appropriate treatment if needed.

When to Go to Them

• Any time stress or logistics make it hard to take meds, get labs, or keep appointments.
• When forms, letters, or benefits decisions are due or confusing.
• After a job/insurance change, move, or major family change.
• If your caregiver is struggling or you need a backup plan.
• Come prepared: forms, deadlines, employer/insurer contacts, and your clinic’s medical record number.

What They Don’t Handle (Boundaries)

• Medical diagnosis or medication dosing — that’s your clinical team.
• Legal or financial decisions — they can refer/advocate but don’t provide legal advice or set coverage rules.
• Emergency/crisis response — use your center’s urgent process or 911; they can help create a safety plan afterward.
• Long-term therapy — they connect you to ongoing counseling if needed.